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The Ultimate Comfort Food: Instant Pot Beef Stew

As the chill of winter sets in and the days grow shorter, there’s nothing quite like a hearty beef stew to warm the soul. With the advent of modern kitchen appliances like the Instant Pot, creating this classic British dish has never been easier or quicker. Say goodbye to hours of simmering and hello to a delicious, comforting meal ready in a fraction of the time.

What is an Instant Pot?

For those unfamiliar, an Instant Pot is a multi-functional electric pressure cooker that has taken the culinary world by storm. It combines the functions of several appliances, allowing you to slow cook, sauté, steam, and pressure cook all in one pot. This versatility makes it particularly useful for busy families or anyone looking to whip up a tasty meal without the fuss.

The Benefits of Cooking Beef Stew in an Instant Pot

1. Speed: Traditional beef stew recipes can take several hours to develop their rich flavours as the meat slowly cooks. With an Instant Pot, this same depth of taste can be achieved in about an hour, making it perfect for a midweek dinner.

2. Ease of Use: With just a few steps—sautéing vegetables, browning the meat, adding broth and seasoning, and sealing the pot—a rich and fulfilling stew can be prepared without mess or fuss.

3. Tender Meat: The pressure cooking function ensures that the beef becomes tender and succulent, even if you’re using less expensive cuts.

4. Flavour Infusion: Cooking under pressure allows the ingredients to meld beautifully, creating a stew that is both hearty and flavourful.

Ingredients

To make a classic Instant Pot beef stew, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1.5 kg of beef stew meat (such as chuck or brisket), cut into 2.5 cm cubes
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3-4 carrots, sliced
• 2-3 potatoes, diced
• 100g of green beans, trimmed and cut into 2.5 cm pieces (optional)
• 500ml of beef stock
• 300ml of red wine (or an additional 300ml of beef stock)
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons of cornflour (optional, for thickening)

Instructions

1. Sauté the Vegetables: Begin by selecting the ‘Sauté’ setting on your Instant Pot. Add the olive oil and allow it to heat up. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, stirring occasionally until the onion is translucent.

2. Brown the Beef: Increase the heat and add the beef chunks. Sear the meat on all sides until nicely browned. This step is crucial as it adds depth of flavour to the stew.

3. Add the Other Ingredients: Once the beef is browned, mix in the sliced carrots, diced potatoes, and green beans if using. Stir in the tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper, ensuring that everything is well combined.

4. Deglaze the Pot: Pour in the red wine, scraping up any brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. This deglazing adds further flavour and prevents burning during the pressure cooking stage.

5. Pressure Cook: Add the beef stock, making sure not to exceed the maximum fill line of your Instant Pot. Close the lid securely and set it to ‘Pressure Cook’ on high for 35 minutes.

6. Release the Pressure: Once the cooking time is up, allow the pot to naturally release pressure for about 10 minutes, then switch to a quick release to let out any remaining steam.

7. Thicken the Stew (Optional): If you prefer a thicker stew, mix the cornflour with a small amount of water to create a slurry. Select the ‘Sauté’ function again, stir in the slurry, and simmer for a few minutes until the stew thickens to your desired consistency.

8. Serve: Ladle the stew into bowls and serve hot, perhaps with a slice of crusty bread or alongside some buttery mashed potatoes.

Conclusion

The Instant Pot has revolutionised home cooking, making it simpler than ever to create beloved classics like beef stew. This warming dish is not only a fantastic option for family dinners but also makes for excellent leftovers, as the flavours deepen even further after a day in the fridge. So gather your ingredients, set your Instant Pot, and enjoy a comforting bowl of beef stew that warms both the body and spirit. Bon appétit!

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