It's getting cold outside...Warm up your belly!

Beef Stew And Dumplings

1 lb beef stew

2 TB olive oil

1 TB butter

1 small onion chopped

1-2 cloves garlic minced

1/2 cup white wine

1 TB Kosher salt

1 tsp pepper

1 Tablespoon worcestershire sauce

2 cans beef broth (or make own with approx 4 cups water and 4 tsp beef boullion)

 1 sprig fresh thyme (can use dried)

1 stalk celery chopped

1-2 carrots chopped into large chunks

2 medium potatoes peeled and quartered

2 large handfuls of fresh or frozen whole green beans

1/2 cup peas frozen (optional)

additional water if needed

Brown beef chunks in some oil and butter. Add some chopped onions and a minced garlic clove. Deglaze pan with white wine and allow to cook for a few minutes. Cover meat completely with beef broth,  and a sprig of fresh thyme, salt pepper, worcestershire sauce and simmer until meat is almost tender, approx 1 1/2- 2 hrs. Add in celery cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces, potatoes cut into large chunks, carrots cut into pieces, and green beans,  Simmer until vegetables are tender. Approx 30 more minutes adding water now if additional is needed (depends on how brothy you like it). Add some peas if desired and then cook your dumplings on top by dropping tablespoons full into broth and cover (see dumpling recipe for further instructions). Serve in bowls.

***Dumplings***

1 1/2 cups flour
1 Tablespoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons shortening(butter/margarine or crisco
3/4 to 1 cup of milk

Mix dry ingredients and cut in shortening. Add enough milk to make a soft wet dough. Drop by tablespoon on to the top of stew and cover and simmer on low for about 15 minutes.

Enjoy and do not plan on leftovers (I learned that the hard way....)

For desert some Gooey Pumpkin Cake would hit the spot! You can find the recipe HERE

"When we invite Him to walk with us through the desert,
He is our shade in the heat of the noonday sun
and He provides food and water for our hungry and parched souls.
He leads us to green pastures, restores our souls and turns the dry desert
to a well watered garden." Psalm 23:4

Blessings,

Dee