(Recipe) Italian-Style Beef Stew

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Beef: Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and let them come to room temperature for about 15 minutes.

2. Sauté the Vegetables: Heat olive oil or butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.

3. Brown the Beef: Add the beef cubes to the pot and brown on all sides, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes.

4. Add the Wine and Tomatoes: Pour in the red wine and the can of peeled tomatoes, breaking up the tomatoes with a spoon. Stir everything together.

5. Season: Add the bay leaves, thyme sprigs, oregano, and salt. Stir and bring to a simmer.

6. Slow Cook: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the beef stew gently for 2-2 ½ hours, stirring occasionally. If the stew looks too dry, add a little more wine or water to keep it moist.

7. Finish with Olives: During the last 10 minutes of cooking, add the black olives. Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs from the pot before serving.

8. Garnish and Serve: Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with freshly chopped basil and serve the stew warm.

Serving Suggestion:

Serve this rich and hearty Italian beef stew with a side of crusty bread or over polenta for a comforting meal.