A hearty and flavorful beef stew perfect for cozy evenings.
Season the beef with salt and pepper and coat it lightly with flour.
Coating the beef with flour helps to thicken the stew as it cooks.
Heat a large pot over medium heat and brown the beef on all sides.
Brown the beef in batches to ensure even cooking and avoid steaming.
Add the garlic, onion, and celery to the pot and sauté until softened.
Stir frequently to prevent the garlic from burning.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for an additional minute.
Cooking the tomato paste briefly enhances its flavor.
Pour in the chicken broth and water, then bring to a boil.
Scrape the bottom of the pot to deglaze and incorporate all the flavors.
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
Check occasionally and stir to prevent sticking.
Add the carrots and potatoes to the pot and cook for 20 minutes.
Cut the vegetables into uniform pieces for even cooking.
Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Taste the stew before adding more seasoning to avoid over-salting.
Serve the stew hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Pair the stew with crusty bread for a complete meal.
