Click for Cookbook LOGIN
"The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found."--Calvin Trillin

Grandma Barth's Beef Stew (Also known as "El Rancho Stew") Recipe

  Tried it? Rate this Recipe:
 

 

This recipe for Grandma Barth's Beef Stew (Also known as "El Rancho Stew") is from Recipes for a Bride, one of the cookbooks created at FamilyCookbookProject.com. We'll help you start your own personal cookbook! It's easy and fun. Click here to start your own cookbook!
Category:
Category:
Ingredients:  
Ingredients:  
2 lbs. beef stew meat
1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 medium onion, chopped
1 stick of butter or margarine
2 8 oz. cans tomato sauce
2 bay leaves
1 lb. carrott chopped into 1" chunks
1 can peas
1 can of green beans
1 can of corn

Rice or mashed potatoes
Directions:
Directions:
1. Cut meat into bite sized pieces. Put into plastic bag with flour, salt and pepper. Shake well to coat meat pieces.
2. Melt margarine or butter in a large oven-safe pot. Fry chopped onion for about 5 minutes and add floured meat and brown. You'll probably need to brown the meat in batches and may want to scoop out the fried onions so they don't get too mushy. Add them back in before putting the meat in the oven.
3. Add the tomato sauce and 1 can of water. Stir well. Place 2 bay leaves on top, cover and place in 350º oven for 2 hours. Stir meat every ½ hour or so.
4. After 1 ½-2 hours add carrots. Carrots take the longest to cook. Add the other veggies the last half hour.
5. Total cooking time is 2 ½-3 hours.
Number Of Servings:
Number Of Servings:
8-10
Preparation Time:
Preparation Time:
3 1/2 hours
Personal Notes:
Personal Notes:
Grandma wrote out this recipe for me on 10-6-91, so about a few months after Uncle Pat and I got married. She included a lot of personal notes like, "Daddy likes his with rice, I like mine with mashed potatoes. Or else just serve with rye bread and a salad." Also, "This should be enough for 2 meals. Any leftovers can be frozen. Freezes well."

The story goes that Grandpa had eaten a version of this stew while serving in the Army and remembered it being called "El Rancho Stew".

 

 

 

Learn more about the process to create a cookbook -- or
Start your own personal family cookbook right now!  Here's to good eating!

Search for more great recipes here from over 1,500,000 in our family cookbooks!

 

 

 

65W  

Cookbooks are great for Holiday Gifts, Wedding Gifts, Bridal Shower ideas and Family Reunions!

*Recipes and photos entered into the Family Cookbook Project are provided by the submitting contributors. All rights are retained by the contributor. Please contact us if you believe copyright violations have occurred.

Search for more great recipes here from over 1,500,000 in our family cookbooks!