Simple recipes...homemade beef vegetable stew with a KICK

Homemade beef vegetable stew with a kick and a side of cornbread

Fall is kicking Spring to the curve and for many that means, it's soup and stew time! As soon as the leaves start to turn on the trees, my crew is ready for bear, or cow. They want comfort food. They want warm bellies. They want the HEAT!

​When Emeril Lagasse says, "Let's kick it up a notch," which means MORE HEAT, the Food Network audience goes wild . That's exactly what I'm doing with this vegetable beef  stew recipe.

I've spent years experimenting with different seasonings, because that's what every good 'home cook' does, right...and this combination is one the whole family enjoys.  Let's get started!

Ingredients:
2 lbs. chuck roast (fat trimmed and cut in chunks)
Large can whole tomatoes 
Large can crushed tomatoes
Box of vegetable broth
1/2 cup ketchup
​Tbs. Worcestershire sauce 
Six carrots (sliced)
Four stalks of celery (sliced)
Medium onion (chopped)
Can green beans (drain and rinsed)
Bag of frozen sweet corn
Large baking potato (peeled and chopped)
2 Tbs. dried oregano
2Tbs. dried basil
Tbs. garlic powder
2 bay leaves
1/2 Tbs. red pepper flakes
salt/pepper
flour for beef
2 Tbs. olive oil

Directions: After chopping the chuck roast into cubes, salt/pepper and dredge in flour. Shake loose powder and place in heated skillet with a Tbs. of olive oil. Brown until cooked (approximately 15 minutes on medium heat).

Sauté' chopped carrots, celery, and onion in a Tbs. of olive oil (approximately 5 or 6 minutes). salt/pepper

In large stock pot, combine the beef, sautéed vegetables, add the can of tomatoes (squeeze the whole tomatoes into the pot), can of crushed tomatoes, box of vegetable broth, chopped potatoes, corn, green beans, and seasonings. Cook on medium to medium high heat for approximately an hour. Check your seasonings by giving it a taste test and adjust. If it needs more sweet, add ketchup. If it needs more kick, add more Worcestershire sauce. 

It's a great dinner idea when its cold outside. Buy your favorite corn meal mix to make the cornbread. My dad gave me a great tip...instead of using only one egg like the recipe calls for, use two.