Winter Stew

[kaci]

Winter Stew


Special enough for company, but delicious anytime, this unique stew needs nothing more than a good crusty bread to make a warming, nutritious winter meal.

2 pounds beef stew meat
1 tablespoon each oil and butter
1 large onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, diced
1 inch fresh ginger, peeled and diced
salt and pepper to taste
dash cayenne pepper
4 cups beef broth
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup red wine (optional)
4 to 6 carrots
1/2 winter squash
3 white potatoes
3 sweet potatoes
8 small white onions
8 whole cloves
1 pound green beans
1/2 pound small prunes
.
In large, heavy stewing pot, brown meat in oil-butter mixture. Set meat
aside.

Add chopped onion, garlic, and ginger to pot and saute. Add salt, black and
cayenne pepper, and continue cooking for a few more minutes.

Return meat to pot, add broth, bay leaf, and red wine. Add water to cover if
necessary. Bring to a boil and cook, uncovered, for 20 minutes, adding more
water as needed.

Meanwhile, peel and cut up carrots, squash, and white and sweet potatoes.
Peel onions and stick a whole clove into each. Wash, trim, and cut up green
beans. Reduce heat.

Place carrots and onions over top of stew; cover and steam for 10 minutes,
then stir into meat. Repeat this procedure with sweet potatoes and beans.
Repeat with squash and white potatoes. Check all for tenderness and correct
seasoning. About 15 minutes before serving, lay prunes over top of stew.
Cover and steam gently until soft.