Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb beef or chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- 4 cups beef or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: red food coloring or chili powder for a more eerie look
- Fresh herbs for garnish (parsley or thyme)
Instructions
- Chop vegetables and cut meat into chunks, set aside.
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent (~3-4 minutes).
- Add meat pieces and cook until browned on all sides.
- Stir in carrots, celery, smoked paprika, thyme, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Add diced tomatoes and broth, stirring well. For a spooky effect, add red food coloring or chili powder.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 1-2 hours until meat is tender and flavors meld.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. For a thicker stew, stir in slurry of cornstarch and water or cook uncovered to reduce. Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
- For vegetarian version, substitute meat with hearty vegetables like mushrooms, eggplant, or plant-based proteins, and use vegetable broth.
- Ensure all vegetables are chopped uniformly for even cooking.
- Add extra red food coloring or chili powder to enhance the spooky appearance.
- Serve in cauldrons or hollowed-out pumpkins for festive presentation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Halloween-inspired
- Diet: Flexible, can be adapted to gluten-free or low-carb diets
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 350 kcal Kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
