Recipe courtesy of Debi Mazar
and
Gabriele Corcos
Tuscan Beef Stew with Polenta
- Level: Easy
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 6 servings
- Calories
- 501
- Total Fat
- 17
- Saturated Fat
- 4
- Carbohydrates
- 34
- Dietary Fiber
- 4
- Sugar
- 5
- Protein
- 36
- Cholesterol
- 95
- Sodium
- 1335
- Total: 2 hr 22 min
- Prep: 15 min
- Inactive: 7 min
- Cook: 2 hr
Ingredients
Stew:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 red onion, cut into medium dice
3 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 stalks celery, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 pounds stew beef (boneless chuck), excess fat trimmed, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 1/2 cups dry red wine
8 sprigs fresh thyme
3 medium tomatoes, halved
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Polenta:
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cups vegetable stock or broth
1 cup instant polenta
Directions
- For the stew: In heavy, large saucepan over moderately-high heat, heat 3 tablespoons oil until hot, but not smoking. Add the onion, carrot, and celery and saute, stirring occasionally, until light golden brown, about 10 minutes.
- Add the beef and saute, stirring occasionally, until brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add wine and thyme, stir well, and bring to boil.
- Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper, then lower heat to moderately low, cover, and simmer, stirring every 15 minutes, until the beef is tender, about 2 hours.
- For the polenta: While the beef is simmering, make the polenta. Pour the olive oil into a large serving bowl and swirl to coat. Set aside.
- In heavy, large pot over moderately-high heat, bring stock to a boil. Lower the heat to moderate and gradually whisk in the polenta, stirring constantly. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until polenta thickens and pulls away from sides of pan, about 5 minutes. Transfer the polenta to an oil-coated serving bowl and keep warm. Let the polenta sit for 5 to 10 minutes so it can set up.
- When the beef is tender, use tongs to remove the tomato skins, if desired and the thyme sprigs.
- Turn the polenta out of the bowl, slice, and serve alongside the stew.