Beef Stew with Fennel and Nocellara

Olio Taibi

Category

Stew

Use our bold and peppery Nocellara to bring out the flavors of this rich tasting beef stew with fennel, nocellara olives, and cinnamon.

Beef Stew with Fennel and Nocellara

Ingredients

  • 2-4 TBS Olio Taibi Nocellara Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus more finishing

  • 3 pounds of beef stew meat (see note)

  • Flour

  • 1 large bulb fennel, thinly sliced (fronds reserved)

  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced

  • 3 ribs celery, thinly sliced

  • 3 fat garlic cloves, thinly sliced

  • kosher salt

  • 20 Nocellara Olives, pitted and roughly chopped (see note)

  • 1 generous TBS tomato paste

  • 1 TBS sweet paprika

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 quart brown chicken stock or beef stock

  • 1/2-1 TBS sherry vinegar

Directions

  1. Heat 2 TBS Olio Taibi Nocellara Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a wide deep braiser or large dutch oven over medium high heat.

  2. Dust stew meat with flour, and brown the outside all over in hot oil. You will need to do this in 3 or 4 batches depending on your pot's size. As meat browns, reserve to a bowl. You may need to add another TBS of oil if the pan starts to look too dry. 

  3. In empty pan, heat 1 TBS Olio Taibi Nocellara Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and add fennel, onion, celery, and garlic with a few big pinches of salt. Lower heat to medium and sauté for 10 minutes until vegetables are softened.

  4. Add olives, tomato paste and spices to the vegetables in the pan and sauté for another couple minutes.

  5. Add stock and stir into vegetables. Check salt level of the liquid, adjust if needed. It should taste like a properly seasoned brothy soup.

  6. Add in reserved stew meat, and any juices that were collected as it rested.

  7. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 2-3 hours at a low simmer until beef is tender enough to slide a butter knife into.

  8. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 TBS sherry vinegar, taste and add more if needed to balance out a level of brightness in the stew.

  9. Serve topped with reserved fennel fronds and a drizzle of Olio Taibi Nocellara Extra Virgin Olive Oil.