COMFORTING BARLEY & PUMPKIN BEEF STEW

Comforting Barley & Pumpkin Beef Stew image

There's nothing more comforting than a bowl of beef stew-unless, of course, it's a bowl of steaming hot beef stew loaded with lots and lots of barley. Now this is comfort food at its best-a bowl of stew robust enough to be a meal on its own. Rinsing the barley will help remove any dust, dirt or debris. -Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 6h30m

Yield 9 servings (3-1/2 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1-1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
1-1/2 teaspoons pepper, divided
1-1/2 pounds beef stew meat
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large sweet onion, finely chopped
2 cartons (32 ounces each) beef broth
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin
1 cup medium pearl barley
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Optional: Additional red pepper flakes and minced fresh parsley

Steps:

In a shallow dish, mix flour, cornstarch, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Add beef, a few pieces at a time, and toss to coat. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; brown meat in batches. Transfer meat to a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker. In the same skillet, cook and stir onion in drippings until tender, 6-8 minutes; add to slow cooker. Stir in broth, pumpkin, barley, thyme, garlic powder and red pepper flakes. Cook, covered, on low until meat is tender, 6-8 hours. If desired, serve with additional red pepper flakes and parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 211 calories, Fat 8g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 35mg cholesterol, Sodium 819mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges