opa's enthusiastic stew / my favorite winter meal

my dear ol' dad / c halverson photography (my sister-in-law!)

am sharing a favorite winter meal today. this one is extra special because the recipe was conjured up by my very own dad (after years of ironing out the ingredients, here it is in all its glory). he makes a mean pot of perfection. it is the ultimate in comfort warm-me-up food. publishing it here means his future generations can enjoy his famous recipe. and, since he's a historian, reaching into the archives (albeit virtually) would be entirely suitable. 

i love the fact that he makes a giant restaurant-size pot of this stew (refrigerates it on the porch, because it's cold enough here in december) and divides it into containers–gifting it to whomever visits–all packed up in small family portions. cannot think of much else better than that. enjoy.

Opa's Enthusiastic Stew
Perfect for winter nights, particularly Christmas Eve

chop and set aside for later
3 carrots, chopped into rounds
10 red potatoes, quartered
3 celery stalks, chopped

2 C. flour
3 lb. stew meat (best quality your money can buy)
4 Tbs. olive oil
1 whole carrot
1 medium onion
2 C. beef broth
fresh parsley
3 small cans V8 juice

add last
10 oz. frozen peas
sliced shiitake mushrooms

In a small bowl, flour the beef chunks and brown them in large pot, simmering with oil. Add whole carrot, onion and parsley. Pour in broth and V8 juice. Bring mixture to a boil and lower the heat to simmer for 40 minutes. Remove whole carrot and onion and add the chopped vegetables. (Optional: add a cup of wheat berries in true Opa fashion.) Simmer for 40 more minutes. Add frozen peas and fresh mushrooms, simmer 10 additional minutes.

Serve to hungry guests with a hunk of fine, crusty brot (which is how he might say it, because he speaks german, and sometimes acts german). Light a thick candle and your kitchen may turn into an old fashioned tavern swarming with European customers demanding seconds.

on a side note // happy eleven eleven eleven. now go check out the new GIFTED online magazine by creature comforts. i am still devouring last year's version; this one is bound to be chock-full of holidayesque happiness.