SLOW-COOKER SICILIAN-STYLE BEEF STEW

Slow-Cooker Sicilian-Style Beef Stew image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Time 5h

Yield Serves 4 to 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 pounds beef chuck, fat trimmed, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 shallots, thinly sliced (2 cups)
1/2 cup dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon
1 can (28 ounces) whole peeled tomatoes, crushed
1 bulb fennel (12 ounces), cut into 1/2-inch wedges
1 sprig rosemary
2 strips orange zest (each 1 inch by 3 inches), plus orange wedges for serving
1 cup pitted green olives, such as Castelvetrano (7 ounces)
Mashed potatoes, for serving

Steps:

Season beef with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add 1 tablespoon oil and half of beef, in a single layer; cook, turning a few times, until browned all over, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a 5-to-6-quart slow cooker. Repeat with remaining oil and beef. Add shallots and wine to skillet; cook, scraping up browned bits, until wine has almost evaporated, about 3 minutes. Transfer to slow cooker; stir in tomatoes with their juices, fennel, rosemary, and zest. Cover and cook on high until meat is fork-tender, about 4 1/2 hours.
Stir in olives; season with salt and pepper. Remove rosemary; serve, with mashed potatoes, orange wedges, and more pepper.