Want to add something new to your Paleo Diet menu? Have too much to handle that dinner or even lunch is not as easy or may even be nearly impossible to make? If you want something new to offer to your kids, friends and family, then why not start with a Paleo recipe for a stew?
After a long day in the office, a hard exam at school, or just another tiresome day taking care of the kids, a warm serving of stew can calm the senses and fill the tummy. You may prefer soup, but if you want something new, a stew can be a great choice. Not only does stewing bring out the flavors of each of the ingredients, it is also relatively easy for people to make who don’t have enough time to cook.
Stewing means cooking with a number of ingredients, such as meat and vegetables. But these ingredients are cooked with less liquid and then left to simmer in a covered pot on the hob for a long time. Because stewing is a flexible and convenient way of cooking food, most people even those not practicing Paleo will make a stew.
I often just want to get things done and believe I can figure them out on my own. A stew is what I prefer for a sumptuous dinner. I also don’t always have enough time, so I don’t have to keep referring back to the one I first saw in a Paleo recipe book. So the meal that I produce is my take on a Paleo Beef Butternut Squash Stew.
- 1 lb (453.59 g) Beef – Cut Into Cubes (Preferably From Grass-Fed Cows)
- 1 Butternut Squash – Peeled, De-Seeded and Diced
- 1 Medium Onion – Diced
- 3 Garlic Gloves – Minced
- 4 Carrots – Diced
- 6 oz (28 g) Mushrooms – Sliced
- 6 oz (28 g) Spinach – Chopped
- 1 Cup (240 ml) Chicken Stock (Homemade If Possible)
- 14oz (396 g) Tinned Tomatoes – Diced
- 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) Chili Powder
- 1 Teaspoon (5 ml) Paprika
- 1 Teaspoon (5 ml) Dried Oregano
- 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) Olive Oil or Coconut Oil – For Browning The Beef
- Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper – To Taste
- Heating up the pan or skillet can make the cooking process easier. Heat the skillet or frying pan over medium heat.
- When the skillet or pan is hot, add to this the beef cubes and cook until they are brown all over. This will take around a minute for each side.
- Once the beef is browned, transfer it to the slow cooker. Then add to this the other ingredients except for the mushrooms and spinach.
- As soon as you have everything in the slow cooker, give it a good mix to make sure all ingredients are combined well together.
- Set your slow cooker to low and make sure you set it in a place where your kids or pets won’t reach it for the next 6 hours.
- About 30 minutes before your stew is ready, add in the mushrooms.
- Then just before serving you should add the spinach. This makes sure your spinach is crunchy, giving more freshness and texture to your stew.
- Serve whilst hot with some delicious Paleo bread that is gluten free that you made earlier or the day before and enjoy!
If you have the time you can pre-brown the meat, but to be honest, I don’t find any real difference in the flavor if I just put everything straight into the pot Of course, I’m a busy mom trying to do it all so I might not notice the finer nuances in flavor searing the meat first might offer me. If you would like the stew to be thicker remove some of the squash, mash or purée when cooking and then add it back in just before you serve.
One advantage when it comes to making this meal is that you can use a slow cooker or crock pot if you want. Using a slow cooker is the best way to make a stew, as it allows the flavors of each ingredient to seep into each other. Slow cooking also brings out more of the nutrients in each ingredient and infuses them into the stew. If you are also a mom or a very busy individual who finds it hard to watch over what they are cooking for a long period of time, then a slow cooker can be your best answer. For those people who simply want to experience food that melts in their mouth, then the slow cooker is perfect for this.
Another great thing about this meal is one of the main ingredients is butternut squash. Butternut squash is definitely Paleo approved and brings several benefits to your body. This number eight (8) shaped vegetable with deep orange flesh is sweet and rich when ripe. In this recipe, the butternut squash is added as a veggie, but it can also be roasted, pureed and toasted. Here are just a few benefits of butternut squash:
Carotenoids – Good For The Heart And Eyes, Lowers Risk Of Cancer
The veggie is rich in carotenoids, a great nutrient for healthy heart and lowers the risk of cancer and is well-known for its benefits for better eyesight. Carotenoids are one of the antioxidants found in butternut squash and as numerous studies have confirmed, this antioxidant appears to be beneficial for people with tumors, as it helps to combat the growth of them. Studies also suggest the same for cardiovascular health.
Vitamin B6 – Good For The Immune And Nervous Systems
Our immune and nervous systems are two of the most important systems in the body. Once these systems are compromised, the body’s other systems will crash. In order to prevent this, eating food with Vitamin B6 and other nutrients can protect the body’s immune and nervous system from any diseases.
Antioxidants – Protects Body Against Inflammation
As we grow old, we will experience inflammation in different parts of the body, most especially in our joints, muscles, and bones. Antioxidants to be found foods like butternut squash can help prevent or relieve any inflammation that our bodies can experience. Antioxidants are also known to help reduce weight.
Like other Paleo diet recipes, this one is definitely worth your time and space in your tummy. It’s not only filling, it’s also a great source of vitamins and nutrients that can help you stay healthy. There’s really no reason to skip making this stew using my Paleo recipe for dinner tonight!
