Meatball Stew

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups onions, coarsely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, sliced in half
• 1 (1 lb) bag baby carrot or carrot, peeled and cut in 1 inch pieces
• 2 lbs potatoes, cut into chunks
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 sprig rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• salt
• fresh ground pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Mix 1/2 t.

2. 2

   of the thyme, salt and pepper into the ground beef.

3. 3

   Shape into 1 1/2 inch balls.

4. 4

   Place on a baking sheet that has been lightly sprayed with oil.

5. 5

   Place in a 350°F.

6. 6

   oven and bake for 20 minutes.

7. 7

   In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil and add the onions.

8. 8

   Cook until the onions reach a golden brown, about 20 minutes.

9. 9

   Add the celery, and garlic and cook for another 20 minutes over low heat.

10. 10

    Add the potatoes, carrots, broth, 1/2 t.

11. 11

    thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, salt and pepper.

12. 12

    Add the meatballs to the pot and simmer for another 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

13. 13

    Make a roux of 4 T.

14. 14

    flour and 6 T.

15. 15

    water.

16. 16

    Stir and remove the lumps.

17. 17

    Stir the roux into the stew.

18. 18

    Cook for another 5 minutes.