Hearty Medieval Beef Stew

Transport yourself back to the Middle Ages with this simple, rich, and satisfying dish — the kind that might have simmered over an open hearth in a quaint stone cottage centuries ago. Here’s what you’ll need:

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Ingredients for your Hearty Medieval Beef Stew:

• 2 pounds beef stew meat, cubed
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons animal fat or olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 large carrots, sliced
• 2 parsnips or turnips, peeled and chopped
• 2 potatoes, diced
• 4 cups beef broth (or a mix of broth and red wine, if available)
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves (optional, for a medieval spice kick)
• Crusty bread, for serving

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Instructions:

1. Brown the Meat:
   Heat the fat or oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper. Brown them in batches, setting aside once golden.
2. Build the Flavor:
   In the same pot, lower the heat slightly. Add the onion and garlic, stirring until softened and fragrant.
3. Simmer the Stew:
   Return the beef to the pot. Add the carrots, parsnips (or turnips), and potatoes. Pour in the broth (and wine, if using) until everything is just covered. Add thyme, bay leaves, black pepper, and cloves.
4. Cook Low and Slow:
   Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer gently for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are soft.
5. Serve and Enjoy:
   Remove the bay leaves before serving. Ladle the stew into rustic bowls and serve hot with hearty bread to sop up the delicious broth.