Best 3 Tuscan Beef Stew With Polenta Recipes

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If you're looking for a hearty and flavorful meal that will warm you up on a cold night, look no further than Tuscan beef stew with polenta. This classic Italian dish is made with tender beef, slow-cooked in a rich tomato sauce with vegetables and herbs. The polenta, a creamy cornmeal porridge, is the perfect accompaniment to the stew, soaking up all of the delicious flavors. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

TUSCAN BEEF STEW WITH POLENTA



Tuscan Beef Stew with Polenta image

Provided by Food Network

Time 2h23m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Stew
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 red onion, cut into medium dice
3 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 stalks celery, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 pounds stew beef (boneless chuck), excess fat trimmed, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 1/2 cups dry red wine
8 sprigs fresh thyme
3 medium tomatoes, halved
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Polenta
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cups vegetable stock or broth
1 cup instant polenta

Steps:

  • For the stew: In heavy, large saucepan over moderately-high heat, heat 3 tablespoons oil until hot, but not smoking. Add the onion, carrot, and celery and saute, stirring occasionally, until light golden brown, about 10 minutes.
  • Add the beef and saute, stirring occasionally, until brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add wine and thyme, stir well, and bring to boil.
  • Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper, then lower heat to moderately low, cover, and simmer, stirring every 15 minutes, until the beef is tender, about 2 hours.
  • For the polenta: While the beef is simmering, make the polenta. Pour the olive oil into a large serving bowl and swirl to coat. Set aside.
  • In heavy, large pot over moderately-high heat, bring stock to a boil. Lower the heat to moderate and gradually whisk in the polenta, stirring constantly. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until polenta thickens and pulls away from sides of pan, about 5 minutes. Transfer the polenta to an oil-coated serving bowl and keep warm. Let the polenta sit for 5 to 10 minutes so it can set up.
  • When the beef is tender, use tongs to remove the tomato skins, if desired and the thyme sprigs.
  • Turn the polenta out of the bowl, slice, and serve alongside the stew.

TUSCAN BEEF STEW WITH POLENTA



Tuscan Beef Stew with Polenta image

Provided by Debi Mazar

Categories     Soup/Stew     Beef     Tomato     Stew     Dinner     Cornmeal     Carrot     Red Wine     Fall     Winter     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Diabetes-Friendly

Yield Makes 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

For stew
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 red onion, cut into medium dice
3 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 stalks celery, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 pounds stew beef, such as boneless chuck, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 1/2 cups dry red wine
8 sprigs fresh thyme
3 medium tomatoes, halved
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For polenta
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cups vegetable stock or broth
1 cup polenta (coarse cornmeal)

Steps:

  • Make stew
  • In heavy, large saucepan over moderately high heat, heat oil until hot but not smoking. Add onion, carrot, and celery and sauté, stirring occasionally, until light golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add beef and sauté, stirring occasionally, until brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add wine and thyme, stir well, and bring to boil. Add tomatoes, salt, and pepper, then lower heat to moderately low, cover, and simmer, stirring every 15 minutes, until beef is tender, about 2 hours.
  • While beef is simmering, make polenta
  • Pour olive oil into large serving bowl and swirl to coat. Set aside.
  • In heavy, large pot over moderately high heat, bring stock to boil. Lower heat to moderate and slowly add polenta, stirring constantly. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until polenta thickens and pulls away from sides of pan, about 10 minutes. Transfer to oil-coated serving bowl and keep warm.
  • Serve
  • When beef is tender, use tongs to remove tomato skins (if desired) and thyme sprigs. Transfer stew to large serving bowl. Serve polenta alongside.

POLENTA BEEF STEW



Polenta Beef Stew image

This inviting stew comes from a region of Switzerland near the border of Italy. Swiss cooking is among the heartiest in Europe -- and the use of polenta here is very traditional.

Provided by Annacia

Categories     Stew

Time 2h25m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 24

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 lbs boneless beef chuck steaks, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
1 teaspoon snipped fresh rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 (14 ounce) can beef broth
1 1/2 cups dry red wine
8 ounces boiling onions
5 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch chunks
1/2 cup snipped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup tomato paste
fresh rosemary sprig (optional)
polenta
3 cups milk
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter

Steps:

  • STEW:.
  • Place flour, garlic powder, thyme, basil, salt, and pepper in a plastic bag.
  • Add meat pieces, a few at a time, shaking to coat.
  • In a Dutch oven brown meat, half at a time, in hot oil; drain fat. Return all meat to Dutch oven; add chopped onion, dried rosemary (if using), and garlic.
  • Cook and stir until onion is tender. Stir in broth and wine.
  • Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 1-1/2 hours.
  • Stir in boiling onions and carrots.
  • Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
  • Simmer, covered, about 30 minutes more or until meat and vegetables are tender. Meanwhile, prepare Polenta.
  • Just before serving, stir parsley, tomato paste, and the 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, if using, into stew.
  • Serve stew with Polenta. If desired, garnish with rosemary sprigs.
  • Makes about 7 cups.
  • POLENTA:.
  • In a large saucepan bring 3 cups milk just to a simmer over medium heat.
  • In a medium bowl combine 1 cup cornmeal, 1 cup water, and 1 teaspoon salt.
  • Stir cornmeal mixture slowly into hot milk. Cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until mixture is very thick, stirring occasionally.
  • (If mixture is too thick, stir in additional milk).
  • Stir in 2 tablespoons butter or margarine until melted.

Tips:

  • Choose the right cut of beef. Chuck roast, short ribs, and brisket are all good choices for beef stew because they are tough cuts of meat that become tender when cooked slowly.
  • Brown the beef before stewing. This will help to develop flavor and color.
  • Use a variety of vegetables. Carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes are all classic stew vegetables, but you can also add other vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers.
  • Use a good quality broth or stock. This will help to give the stew a rich flavor.
  • Season the stew well. Salt, pepper, garlic, and thyme are all good choices for seasoning beef stew.
  • Cook the stew slowly. This will allow the meat and vegetables to become tender and the flavors to meld together.
  • Serve the stew with polenta or mashed potatoes. This will help to soak up the delicious broth.

Conclusion:

Tuscan beef stew with polenta is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. By following these tips, you can make a delicious and authentic Tuscan beef stew that your family and friends will love.

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