Beef and Barley Stew

Name: Beef and Barley Stew
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 50 min
Total time: 2 h 10 min
Yield: 6-8 servings.
Ingredients: 1 pound beef stew meat, cut into 1/2-inch pieces; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 cups sliced carrots; 1 cup chopped onion; 1 cup sliced celery; 2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2 cups sliced baby portobello mushrooms; 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes; 1 cup water; 1 cup dry red wine; 1 cup beef broth; 2 bay leaves; 1 teaspoon salt; 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1/3 cup uncooked medium pearl barley; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1/3 cup cold water; 1 to 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; Minced fresh parsley, optional

This is a very hearty stew, but the subtle wine with portobello mushrooms, thyme and bay leaves make it special enough to serve to company. —Diane Werner

Ingredients

1 pound beef stew meat, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups sliced carrots
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced celery
2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups sliced baby portobello mushrooms
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes
1 cup water
1 cup dry red wine
1 cup beef broth
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup uncooked medium pearl barley
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cold water
1 to 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Minced fresh parsley, optional

Directions

In a Dutch oven, cook beef in oil until meat is no longer pink. Add the carrots, onion and celery; cook for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cook 1 minute longer. Add the mushrooms, stewed tomatoes, water, wine, broth, bay leaves, salt, thyme and pepper.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour. Add barley; cover and simmer 45 minutes longer or until barley and meat are tender.
Combine flour and cold water until smooth. Gradually stir into pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat. Discard bay leaves. Stir in balsamic vinegar just before serving. Sprinkle each serving with parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 209 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 541mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 14g protein.

Originally published as Beef Barley Stew in Test Kitchen Favorites Cookbook

Reviews

My Review

Click stars to rate

Average Rating:

kodak853

Jan 18, 2011

My family did not go for this recipe. I did change it up a little and used a crockpot, didn't want to be tied to the stove all day. The vinegar was over powering, I used 1 1/2 Tablespoons.
BlazinBennie

Nov 5, 2009

I made this stew on a cool fall evening for my husband and myself and we both loved it! I was happy it made enough for leftovers. The meat was so tender and the vegetables were perfect. The wine and vinegar added a wonderful flavor. My husband said it was the best beef stew he ever had!