Beef Stew with Potatoes

Beef stew with potatoes is a classic homestyle dish. Its delicious taste and rich nutrition make it much loved by many. This dish combines the tenderness of beef with the softness of potatoes, topped off with a variety of ingredients cooked together. It has a rich taste and nutrition, creating a delicious and cozy homestyle dish.

Many people enjoy eating beef stew with potatoes, but it's important to pay attention to the cooking techniques. Once you've mastered these skills, you can easily make this dish! Let's learn together!

1、How to choose beef and potatoes? 

①Beef: Choose parts with a moderate amount of fat and fascia, such as beef brisket and shoulder, which will be more tender after stewing. Try not to use too lean beef like shank or rump, as the stewed meat will be stiff and tough. 

After cooking, beef shrinks significantly, it's recommended to stew at least about 3 pounds of beef at a time. If the amount of beef is insufficient, the aroma of the cooked beef will not be rich and full-bodied, and even the flavor of the seasoning might overpower the smell of the beef.

②Potatoes: Choose potatoes with high starch content, they will be easier to soften after stewing.

2、How to make the beef taste less gamey and more fresh? 

①When blanching, keep the lid open to avoid the funky smell from evaporating and infusing into the beef. This is a common mistake made by beginners.

②After the beef has been blanched, avoid rinsing it with cold water. Warm water is the best choice because cold water will cause the beef to contract rapidly, making the fibers tighten up and resulting in a tougher texture.

③Ingredients like ginger and green onions mainly serve to neutralize the gamey and greasy taste of beef. If possible, you can also add celery and onions. Extra amounts wouldn't hurt. With these added, the stewed beef will carry a faint vegetable aroma, blending nicely with the beef's own flavor, creating an enticing but not greasy taste.

④Adding a few hawthorns when stewing beef can speed up the tenderization process. The acidity in hawthorns can break down the fibers in beef, making it much tenderer.

⑤You could also add beer when stewing beef. It helps to neutralize the gamey taste of the beef and enhance its flavor, making the stewed beef more delicious. In addition, the color of the beef would be more appealing, providing a visually appetizing experience.

3、How to master the control of heat while cooking? 

①Beef needs to be simmered over medium-low heat in order to fully bring out its deliciousness.

②As for potatoes, they should be stir-fried over high heat to preserve their crisp and tender texture.

4、Do you need to add extra water during the stewing process? 

Start stewing the soup with hot water, and add sufficient amount of water at once. Try not to open the pot lid during the process, and simmer over low heat. If the water level is low during cooking, you can add appropriate amount of heated water.

5、When should the salt be added? 

Pay attention to the timing of salt addition. Adding salt too early can cause the beef brisket to shrink and be difficult to stew. I usually add a spoonful when preparing to take the pot off the heat, or when adding potatoes. Taste it before serving, if it's not salty enough, add more.

6、What are the nutritional values of beef stew with potatoes? 

Beef is rich in protein and trace elements, which can enhance physical strength and immunity. Potatoes contain a large amount of starch and Vitamin C, which can satisfy the body's energy needs, while also enhancing the body's resistance. 

I believe that after mastering these little tricks, you'll be able to make a genuine beef stew with potatoes quickly. You can also adjust the amount of seasonings and change the auxiliary ingredients according to your own taste. Now, let's get started together!