SWEET POTATO AND MOLASSES BEEF STEW

SWEET POTATO AND MOLASSES BEEF STEW image

Yield 4 bowls

Number Of Ingredients 15

For the meat:
1 lb stew meat (I cut this into smaller 1/2" chunks) Top round steak is good
1/3 c flour
1 t paprika
1/2 t ground thyme
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
For the Stewp:
2-3 c beef broth
1 T molasses
2 bay leaves
For the sweetness:
1.5 c diced sweet potato, peeled & cut into roughly 1/4" cubes (one medium sweet potato)
1 c carrot, peeled & cut into 1/2" pieces (about 2 medium carrots)
3/4 c celery, cut into 1/2" pieces ( about 2 stalks trimmed)

Steps:

Place the flour and spices in a large Ziploc bag and mix together. Add the meat and shake to coat thoroughly. Using 1.5 T oil added bit by bit, heat a large skillet. Add a third of the coated meat and brown on all sides. Place the browned meat in a stock pot and then repeat the process with the rest of the meat adding the remaining oil to the pan as needed. You are just searing the meat you are not trying to cook it all the way through... it is okay if parts are still uncooked! Add the beef broth to cover the meat. Stir in the molasses and add the bay leaves. Heat the mixture up to a boil and then turn down to a simmer and cover the pot. Simmer this for 1 hour. After the stew has simmered for 1 hour, add the sweet potato, carrots and celery. Return the stew to a steady simmer, cover, and cook for about 45 minutes. Remove the bay leaves and season the stew to taste with additional salt and pepper. Makes 4 good sized portions at 358 calories a serving.