Classic Beef Stew with Carrots and Mushrooms

Classic Beef Stew with Carrots and Mushrooms

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil, divided

1 pound small mushrooms

Cooking spray

2 cups chopped onion

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

2 pounds lean beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces

3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

1 cup beef broth

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

2 (14-ounce) cans less-sodium beef broth

1 bay leaf

2 cups (3/4-inch) cubed peeled white potato (about 1 pound)

1 1/2 cups (1-inch) slices carrot (about 12 ounces)

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Fresh thyme sprigs (optional)

Instructions

Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, and sauté for 5 minutes or until mushrooms begin to brown. Spoon mushrooms into a large bowl. Lightly coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion; sauté 10 minutes or until tender and golden brown. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add onion mixture to mushroom mixture. Place flour in a shallow bowl or pie plate. Dredge beef in flour, shaking off excess. Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in pan over medium-high heat. Add half of beef mixture; sprinkle with 1/8 teaspoon salt. Cook 6 minutes, browning on all sides. Add browned beef to mushroom mixture. Repeat procedure with remaining beef mixture and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Add 1 cup broth to pan, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Add thyme, broth, and bay leaf; bring to a boil. Stir in beef mixture. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 1 hour or until beef is just tender. Stir in potato and carrot. Simmer, uncovered, 1 hour and 15 minutes or until beef and vegetables are very tender and sauce is thick, stirring occasionally. Stir in remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Discard bay leaf. Garnish with thyme sprigs, if desired. Serves 6