Rustic Mushroom and Beef Stew

Ingredients

• Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
• Beef stew meat (1.5 pounds)
• Onion (1, chopped)
• Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
• Mushrooms (2 cups, sliced)
• Carrots (2, sliced)
• Potatoes (2, diced)
• Beef broth (4 cups)
• Tomato paste (2 tablespoons)
• Worcestershire sauce (1 tablespoon)
• Thyme (1 teaspoon, dried)
• Rosemary (1 teaspoon, dried)
• Salt (1 teaspoon)
• Pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
• Water (1/4 cup)
• Flour (2 tablespoons)

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the beef stew meat and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the meat from the pot and set aside.
3. In the same pot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and start to brown, about 7-10 minutes.
5. Return the beef stew meat to the pot and add the sliced carrots, diced potatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
6. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 2 hours or until the beef is tender.
7. In a small bowl, mix together the flour and water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the stew, and simmer for an additional 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
8. Serve the mushroom and beef stew hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.