Beef Stew "AKA" Dog Chow

ReCap: Last week Beary the Christmas Bear had an unfortunate event with Austin the Schnoodle. Beary was patched back up and place once again on the settee with a stern warning to Austin “Don’t mess with my bear!”.

I went to pick up my son from school and as suspected, Austin had scattered the fluff out of Beary. It took 30 minutes to repack all the stuffing from the head of the now crooked eyed bear.
Scooter, the cat was nowhere to be seen as she probably knew that Austin was “In the doghouse” this time. Austin, too was in hiding. I looked under beds, in the bathrooms, in the kitchen and under the dining room tables-no Austin. I called his name in the manner in which you speak to a 5 year old who has stuffed toilet paper to the gills in the potty. “Austin, sweetie, where are you?”. I heard a slight shuffling in the mud room where the litter box is kept and there he was crouched behind the box. I reached over the cat litter box to pull Austin towards me. His eyebrows were arched and his eyes were wide eye open with fear that he had disappointed me. This was my fault. I was the one who had placed Beary back on the settee knowing that Austin could not resist this bear. I hugged Austin and took him outside for a walk.

After our long walk Beary the now crooked eyed lumpy stuffed Christmas Bear was placed back on the designated Christmas shelf to await next year. Austin was playing happily with Scooter chasing her around the house. All was good.
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Beef Stew AKA "Dog Chow"

1 1/2 lbs. stew beef or more if preferred
½ cup flour (more flour if needed)
4 carrots, chopped
1 parsnip, chopped
2 potatoes, chopped
1 stick of celery, chopped with leaves
1 large onion, diced
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 15 oz can of diced tomatoes, not drained
1 cup of beef or chicken broth
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp beef bouillon (I like "Better than Bouillon" in a jar)
1 bay leaf
½ tsp. smoked paprika
1 tsp. season salt
½ tsp. black pepper
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. cornstarch mixed with 2 Tbsp. cold water, if needed (extra thickener)

8 oz package of shredded Monterey Jack/Cheddar cheese
8 oz sour cream
Large loaf of French bread, hollowed out or go to Panera breads and buy bread bowls


Coat stew beef with flour and brown in hot oil. Add tomatoes, broth, Worcestershire sauce, celery leaves, garlic, onions, bay leaf and spices. Simmer for 1 ½ hrs.
Take out bay leaf and add vegetables. Continue cooking for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. May add a little cornstarch mixed with cold water to thicken if not thick enough for your taste. Salt and pepper to taste. Hollow out French bread and fill it up with beef stew or buy French bread bowls from Panera breads. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream. Serves 6.

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Favorite Cookware: Swissmar Borner V-Slicer Plus Mandolin by Borner
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Enjoy!

The Frye Girl 2 U