For the Beef Stew:
2 pounds stewing beef, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 carrots, sliced
3 celery stalks, sliced
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
4 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
For the Dumplings:
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
Directions:
In a large bowl, season the stewing beef with salt, black pepper, and flour, tossing to coat evenly.
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches and brown on all sides. Remove the beef and set aside.
In the same pot, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the sliced carrots, celery, and diced potatoes to the pot, stirring to combine.
Return the browned beef to the pot and pour in the beef broth. Add Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook over low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours, until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
While the stew is simmering, prepare the dumplings. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk and melted butter until a soft dough forms.
Drop spoonful of the dumpling dough onto the simmering stew. Cover and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy.
How to Prepare:
Prepare the beef stew by seasoning and browning the beef, then sautéing onions, garlic, and vegetables before simmering with beef broth and seasonings.
Prepare the dumpling dough by mixing flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and melted butter, then dropping spoonfuls onto the simmering stew.
Cover and cook until the beef is tender, vegetables are cooked, and dumplings are fluffy.
Preparation Time:
Preparation time for Beef Stew with Dumplings is approximately 30 minutes, with additional cooking time.
Servings:
This recipe yields about 6 servings of hearty Beef Stew with Dumplings.