I borrowed this beef stew recipe from Jacques Pepin, as I loved its simplicity and deep flavor. It’s so adaptable to whatever root vegetables that you get in your farm box, and the white turnips were particulary nice.

Beef in Red Wine with Root Vegetables

2 pounds stewing beef, cut into 2-inch pieces

olive oil, salt & pepper

1 cup finely chopped onion

1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic

1 tablespoon flour

1 bottle of red wine

2 bay leaves

1 sprig fresh thyme 

4 cups of seasonal root vegetables, such as baby onions, carrots, parsnips, kohlrabi, potatoes, cut into 2-inch pieces

1/4 cup water

1 tablespoon of organic sugar

Lemon juice

Chopped fresh parsley

Heat the oven to 350°. Heat olive oil in a cast-iron pot enamel pot (Dutch oven.) Arrange the meat in one layer in the pot, and season it with salt and pepper. Cook on top of the stove over high heat for about 8 minutes, browning the meat on all sides.

Add onions and garlic to the pan. Cook over moderate heat for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 1 tablespoon of flour. Mix in well so that the flour doesn’t form lumps. Stir in 1 bottle of red wine. Add 2 bay leaves, a sprig of fresh thyme, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Stir well and cover.

Place the pot in the oven and continue to cook for about 1 1/2 hours; the meat should be soft and tender and the liquid reduced, rich and flavorful. The recipe can be prepared to this point up to a day ahead. Cool the stew, cover and put into the refrigerator.

 In a sauté pan or skillet, heat olive oil. Add root vegetables to the pan and sauté until browned and softened. Add water, sugar, salt and pepper, bring to a boil and simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes, until vegetables are fork tender. Stir the vegetables and a small handful of parsley into the stew, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, taste for seasoning and serve.