This beef stew is thick with a deliciously flavored broth and lots of meat and veggies. If you plan ahead, it can be cooked in the crockpot after the meat and veggies are browned in pan. If you need to avoid gluten, wheat or soy, substitute a flour that is safe for you and make sure to use Better Than Bouillon organic beef base.
Put flour, salt & pepper in large Ziploc bag. Heat oil over medium heat in a large Dutch oven. Place meat in bag with the flour mixture and shake until well coated.
Shake off meat pieces and add them to the oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly browned.
Add onion to the remaining flour in the bag. Add onion, carrot and celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, to slightly cook the vegetables, about 5 minutes. Add parsley, thyme, water and Better than Bouillon organic beef base.
Cover and cook over low heat for 1 1/2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes or so.
Add diced potatoes, carrots and onions. Cook for another 45 minutes or until potatoes and carrots are tender.
Start with boneless chicken pieces and make a rich, scrumptious, thickened broth to go with it. Â Then make some homemade noodles (or buy some fresh or frozen noodles) and cook them right in the broth. Â Fantastic!!
For making your own homemade noodles for this recipe, use 3 eggs, 1 T. water, 2 3/4 cups light spelt flour (or all-purpose if no wheat allergy)
Heat large (13") cast iron skillet over high heat. Add oil and chicken. Season chicken with pepper. Cook quickly, stirring often, until done. Remove from pan and place in crock pot.
Melt butter in same skillet over medium heat. Add carrots, celery, onion and garlic, and saute until tender, about 10-15 minutes.
Add flour and blend evenly.
Quickly whisk in cream, water, and chicken base until smooth. Add to crock pot and turn onto low until ready to continue.
Before adding noodles, turn crock pot to high heat. We positioned the Kitchen Aid in such a position so the noodles go directly into the crock pot.
Add noodles and stir to separate. Cook until noodles are tender, about 20 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Recipe Notes
I reduced the amount of flour for thickening because I was using homemade noodles.  For making your own homemade noodles for this recipe, use 3 eggs, 1 T. water, and 2 3/4 cups flour.  If you are not using fresh homemade noodles, you may need more thickener.
Although spelt is an ancient form of wheat, most people with wheat allergies can eat it with no problem. Â However, it still contains gluten, so avoid spelt if you have a reason to avoid gluten.
Better than Bouillon organic beef and chicken bases are my favorite to use in broths because they are gluten free and soy free.
Thick and creamy, uses up your leftover baked potatoes. Â Or make extra potatoes for this soup!
To make this gluten free, just substitute 1/3 cup cornstarch or potato starch mixed with some of the milk in place of the flour. Â Bring the rest of the milk to a boil, then slowly add the cornstarch mixture and stir to thicken. Â Or sorghum flour works great for soups and sauces.
In a soup kettle or Dutch oven, melt butter. Cook onions and celery for a few minutes. Stir in flour. Heat and stir until smooth. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until thickened. Add potatoes. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Add bacon, cheese, sour cream, salt, and pepper, and stir until cheese is melted. Or sprinkle cheese and bacon on top as a garnish.
Recipe Notes
Although spelt is actually a type of wheat flour, most people with wheat allergies can digest spelt flour with no problem. Â Obviously, you should not eat spelt if it is a problem for you.
In a saucepan, melt butter and add onion and celery. Cover and cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, so it does not burn,
While that is cooking, dice the potatoes and begin boiling those in some water, about 2 cups, but no need to measure. When the potatoes begin boiling, turn the heat down and check occasionally to see if they are tender. When they are tender, drain and set aside.
When onions and celery are tender, combine cornstarch with 1 cup water. Add to pan with chicken base and milk. Stir so there are no lumps. Add salt, pepper and parsley as it cooks. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until it is thickened as desired. Add potatoes and stir in. Rewarm for a few minutes, if necessary, and serve.
Suggested garnishes are fresh parsley or cilantro, shredded cheese of your choice, bacon (cooked and crumbled) or croutons (be careful of the croutons if gluten free or wheat free).
