Beef Stew and Dumplings

Beef stew and dumplings are a long time family favorite.  I remember my Italian mama making this quite often because we all asked for it constantly.  This is a recipe that says home and love.  There was nothing really wrong with the beef stew in terms of being processed free (only a bit of flour at the end to thicken the stew), but the dumplings sure needed an overhaul.  So here is my cleaned up version of my mom's classic stew and dumplings.

Beef Stew

2 -3 lbs. stew meat (preferably grass-fed, organic)
3 medium russet potatoes
1/2 - 1 lbs. baby carrots
1 onion
1 1/2 - 2 Tbsp salt
2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 Tbsp coconut oil

Cut the meat into bite-sized pieces remembering that the meat will shrink slightly as it cooks.  Brown the meat in the oil on high heat in a large cooking pot.  Add 8 cups of water and bring to a boil.  Turn the heat to low-medium so that it barely boils.  Skim off the foam.  Add the salt, pepper, and nutmeg.  Put the lid on the pot slightly offset and cook the meat for about 1 1/2 hours.  While the meat is cooking, cut the potatoes into bite-sized pieces and dice the onion. (I like the skin left on the potatoes - it feels more rustic and adds nutrition, but you can peel them if you want)  Cover the vegetables with cold water and set aside until you are ready to add them to the meat.  After the meat has cooked, add the vegetables and cook until tender.  If you add the vegetables and they aren't covered in the broth, just add a bit more water.  Check the seasoning and adjust as needed.  In a separate bowl mix 2/3 cup water with 6 Tbsp. rice flour or whole wheat flour.  Mix and add to the stew to thicken the broth.  Now you are ready to add the dumplings on top.

Dumplings

2 cups whole wheat baking mix (found on my blog)

2/3 cup milk

Mix and drop by heaping spoonful on the stew.  Reduce the heat and cook uncovered for 10 minutes.  Cover and cook an additional 10 minutes.  You know they are done with the tops are no longer glossy and they spring back when you touch them.

If I'm being honest, we always mix up a double batch of dumplings.  I highly recommend it!  The following picture shows just one batch.  Enjoy!