Recipe for cooking beef stew in acorn squash

Soups for Salads :: Stews

Beef Stew in Acorn Squash

5 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 lb. beef for stew, cut into 1-in. cubes
2 med. or 1 lrg. yellow onion, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
1 med. carrot, peeled and diced
1/2 lrg. green bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 C. red wine
1 bay leaf
Sprig thyme, marjoram or rosemary
3 C. beef broth
4 med. acorn squash
8 to 10 baby new potatoes, cooked
1/2 C. pearl onions
1/2 C. sugar snap peas

Place 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. black pepper in a lrg. bowl. Add stewing beef and toss to coat the meat.

Meanwhile, coat the bottom of a lrg. heavy pot with extra virgin olive oil (about 1 Tbsp.) and place over med.-high heat. When the oil is hot, add beef to the pot and allow it to brown on all sides, adding more oil as needed. When all the beef is browned, reserve it and its juices in a bowl.

Add diced onion, celery, carrot, green bell pepper and garlic to the pot; cook, stirring, on high heat for 1 min., scraping the bottom of the pot to free flavorful bits. Reduce heat to low and continue to cook vegetables for 1 min. Increase heat to high and add red wine, allowing it to reduce to a glaze in the bottom of the pot.

Return beef to pot along with the bay leaf and your choice of herbs (thyme, marjoram or rosemary). Add the beef broth and bring to a brief boil. Immediately reduce heat to low and maintain a low simmer until beef is tender, about 1 hr..

While stew is slowly cooking, prepare squash by cutting a shallow slice off the top of each to make a lid; remove the seeds and strings. Lightly rub the inside of each squash with salt, pepper and extra virgin olive oil. Replace lids and place on a lined baking tray. Bake at 350 degrees F until tender when pricked with a knife, about 30 to 45 min. Remove from oven; set aside.

Before servings stew, add baby new potatoes, pearl onions and sugar snap peas; gently reheat, if necessary. Adjust seasoning, adding salt and pepper to taste, if needed. Carefully ladle stew into each squash and serve.

Makes approximately 4 to 6 lrg. servings.