This old-fashioned New England beef stew recipe from 1974 will warm your soul

Beef stew recipe from the 1970s

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Stew: The ultimate comfort food

Is there anything more satisfying on a cold winter’s day than a hearty bowl of old-fashioned stew? Beef stew is a nutritious and delicious one-pot meal that is easy to make and can be made in advance — especially convenient for busy families who need simple-but-tasty dinner options.

Stew is a budget-friendly dish that can feed a crowd — using inexpensive ingredients such as beef, vegetables, and pantry staples like flour and canned tomatoes, it’s an economical choice for families looking to stretch their food budget.

In addition, beef stew is a versatile dish that can be customized to family preferences. For example, some people may prefer their stew to be more broth-based, while others may prefer a thicker, heartier stew. By using different ingredients and spices, it is easy to create a version of beef stew that everyone in the family will enjoy.

With warm, rich flavors and tender pieces of meat and vegetables, beef stew is the perfect choice for a cozy dinner on a cold winter evening! Whether served with crusty bread or a bowl of mashed potatoes, it will fill your belly and comfort your soul.

The original New England beef stew retro recipe from 1974

Here’s a hearty old-fashioned stew that’s abundant with beef and fresh vegetables. It’s often served on special occasions in the Betty Crocker New England Kitchen.

This old-fashioned New England beef stew recipe

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Beef stew recipe from the 1970s

New England beef stew

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 pounds of beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons shortening
  • 6 cups of water
  • 3 medium potatoes, pared and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 medium turnip, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 4 carrots, cut into 1-inch slices
  • 1 green pepper, cut into strips
  • 1 cup of sliced celery (1-inch pieces)
  • 1 medium onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1 tablespoon of salt
  • 2 teaspoons of instant beef bouillon (or 2 cubes)
  • 1 bay leaf

Instructions

  1. Mix flour, 1 teaspoon of salt and the pepper.
  2. Coat beef with flour mixture.
  3. Melt shortening in large skillet.
  4. Brown beef thoroughly.
  5. Add water. Heat to boiling; reduce heat and cover tightly.
  6. Simmer 2 hours.
  7. Stir in vegetables, 1 tablespoon salt, the bouillon and bay leaf; cover.
  8. Simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.

Notes

If desired, thicken stew: Shake 1 cup of water and 2 to 4 tablespoons of flour in a covered jar; stir slowly into stew. Heat, stirring constantly, to boiling. Boil and stir for 1 minute.

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 504Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 152mgSodium: 1781mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 6gSugar: 7gProtein: 54g

Click Americana offers approximate nutrition information as a general reference only, and we make no warranties regarding its accuracy. Please make any necessary calculations based on the actual ingredients used in your recipe, and consult with a qualified healthcare professional if you have dietary concerns.

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12/04/2023 10:49 am GMT

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