| Ingredients:   | Ingredients:  2 teaspoons olive oil 12 garlic cloves, crushed
 1 (2-pound) boneless chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 2-inch cubes
 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
 1 cup red wine
 2 cups chopped carrot
 1 1/2 cups chopped onion
 1/2 cup less-sodium beef broth
 1 tablespoon tomato paste
 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
 Dash of ground cloves
 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
 1 bay leaf
 3 cups hot cooked medium egg noodles (about 4 cups uncooked noodles)
 Chopped fresh thyme (optional)
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      | Directions: | Directions:Preheat oven to 300°.Heat olive oil in a small Dutch oven over low heat. Add garlic to pan; cook for 5 minutes or until garlic is fragrant, stirring occasionally. Remove garlic with a slotted spoon; set aside. Increase heat to medium-high. Add beef to pan. Sprinkle beef with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook 5 minutes, browning on all sides. Remove beef from pan. Add wine to pan, and bring to a boil, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Add garlic, beef, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper, carrot, and next 8 ingredients (through bay leaf) to pan; bring to a boil.
 Cover and bake at 300° for 2 1/2 hours or until beef is tender. Discard bay leaf. Serve over noodles. Garnish with chopped fresh thyme, if desired.
 Note: To make in a slow cooker, prepare through Step 2. Place beef mixture in an electric slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 5 hours.
 Wine note: This satisfying beef stew deserves a rich, earthy, and soulful wine--one with a soft, thick texture. I love the complexity and juiciness of the Kuleto Estate Syrah 2004 from Napa Valley, California ($45), which elevates this stew into a princely dinner. --Karen MacNeil
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