Simple Beef Stew with Root Veggies

Can I interest you in a simple beef stew this weekend?

First of all, let me say I am sorry for being so MIA this past week! We took the kids to visit my parents in South Carolina and…wait for it…I forgot my laptop at home. 

I know. I know.  I sort of freaked out at first but then I just had to let go of all that and just be.

But the good part to that is that it actually really forced to me to relax a bit and I read two BOOKS! Real books. It was lovely. When the laptop/work temptation was gone, I succumbed to curling up with a novel at night instead of working. It was a nice break. I wouldn’t call it particularly restful, since Luke decided to forfeit sleep while we were there and was literally up every single hour every single night all week. But…I still read some books, drank some wine and and took a few bubble baths in my mom’s tub. 

So now, we are officially back. I have a lot of really fun surprises coming up for you guys soon but you’ll have to wait and see. 😉 For now, it’s beef stew! This is literally comfort in a bowl and perfect for chilly fall evenings. All you need is a bowl of this, some good red wine and a fire, and you’ll be set. I used two of my favorite (perhaps less popular?) root vegetables for this recipe — parsnips and celery root!

You don’t need a ton of fancy ingredients or a bouquet garni (did I lose you there?) to make this recipe. It’s totally kid approved, too! The beef cooks for so long that it literally melts in your mouth. I like to make a double batch and stick some in the freezer for a rainy weeknight when I need dinner on the table fast.

Of course if parsnips and celery root aren’t your jam,just use whatever you like. Carrots are always nice…and, of course, potatoes are as well. 

I hope this cozy recipe makes it on your table this weekend! We have cold rain on the forecast and are hunkering down at home, recouping from jet lag and hopefully making up for loss of sleep. 😉