Meat Stew with Onions

Meat stew with onions is a classic dish of Italian home cooking, which spreads an inviting aroma throughout the house while it slowly cooks. Here’s how to prepare it.

Ingredients

• 500 g stewing meat (beef, veal, or other according to preference)
• 3-4 medium onions
• Flour as needed to coat the meat
• Extra virgin olive oil
• White wine, about one glass
• Meat or vegetable broth as needed
• Salt and black pepper
• A few sprigs of fresh rosemary or thyme (optional)
• 1 bay leaf

Preparation

1. Start by slicing the onions into thin strips and set them aside.
2. Take the meat and cut it into pieces if it’s not already in stew-sized chunks. Lightly coat it with flour.
3. In a casserole, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and add the floured meat. Brown the meat on all sides until it is nicely golden.
4. Add the onions to the meat, add the rosemary or thyme sprig and the bay leaf. Let it cook for a few minutes.
5. Deglaze with the white wine and let the alcohol evaporate over high heat.
6. After the wine has evaporated, add hot broth until it covers the meat and onions.
7. Lower the heat, cover with a lid and let it cook for at least an hour and a half, checking occasionally that the meat stays tender and the onions turn into a thick, flavorful sauce. If necessary, add more broth during cooking.
8. Taste and adjust salt and pepper to your liking.
9. Once the meat is tender and the sauce has reached the desired consistency, your stew is ready to serve.

Serve the stew hot and, if you like, sprinkle with a little chopped fresh parsley for a touch of color.

Notes

The stew belongs to the tradition of many Italian regions and every family has its own personal version. Some cooks add carrots and celery to the onions for a more aromatic soffritto, while others enrich the flavor with spices like nutmeg or cloves.