A hearty and flavorful beef stew, perfect for cozy evenings.
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
Preheating ensures even cooking from the start.
Cut the beef into bite-sized pieces if not already done.
Cutting the beef into uniform pieces helps it cook evenly.
Chop the carrots, onion, celery, and potatoes into similar-sized chunks.
Uniformly sized vegetables ensure even cooking.
Place the beef, carrots, onion, celery, mushrooms, potatoes, and peas into the casserole dish.
Layering the ingredients can help distribute flavors.
Pour the beef broth over the ingredients and add the salt, pepper, and bay leaf.
Ensure the broth covers most of the ingredients for even cooking.
Cover the casserole dish with its lid and place it in the preheated oven.
A tight-fitting lid helps retain moisture.
Cook for 5 hours, checking occasionally to ensure the liquid level is sufficient.
If the liquid reduces too much, add a bit more broth or water.
Remove the casserole dish from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Resting allows the flavors to meld together.
Serve the stew warm, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Serving with crusty bread enhances the meal.