Greek Recipes (Main Course)

Stefado (Greek-Style Oven Beef Stew)

Ingredients

1/4 c Olive oil
1 1/2 lb Boneless beef chuck - cut into 1-1/2" cubes
2 tb All-purpose flour
12 oz Small white boiling onions - peeled
1 lb Tomatoes,peeled,seeded,chopd
3 Garlic cloves -- minced
2 1/2 tb Chopped fresh thyme -- -OR- 1 t -Dried thyme
2 1/2 tb Chopped fresh rosemary -OR- 1 t -Dried rosemary
2 1/2 tb Chopped fresh oregano -OR- 1 t -Dried oregano
1 Bay leaf -- crumbled
1 t Ground cumin
2 c Dry red wine
1/2 lb Feta cheese, crumbled
Salt & freshly ground pepper

Method

Preheat over to 350 F. Heat oil in heavy 4- to 5-quart Dutch oven over medium high heat. Toss beef with flour in large bowl. Add beef to pan in batches and cook until brown, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes per batch. Transfer browned beef to bowl. Add onions to pan and cook until light brown, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, garlic, herbs and cumin to pan. Stir in wine and bring to a boil. Cover and bake in oven until beef is tender, about 2 hours. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm to 350 F oven before continuing.) Stir feta into stew. Return to oven and continue baking until cheese is heated through, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
Serves 4.