What do you crave the most when it’s cold outside? One of my favorites is a hearty beef stew in the Instant Pot. It’s a hearty and comforting meal that warms up both your heart and body!
This morning, when I drove the kids to school, I noticed that it had become so foggy outside that I felt like I was driving through clouds. It reminded me of my first childhood memories in the mountains. I remembered sitting in the back of my parents’ car, traveling through the winding roads towards the top of the mountain, amazed thinking I was up in the sky like the birds. I was surrounded by clouds that looked like gigantic marshmallows!
As soon as I got out of the car, I asked my parents for a plastic bag so I could bring back as many clouds as I could. I spent hours running around trying to gather the biggest bag of clouds that I could bring home. Somehow, I didn’t seal it properly and fell asleep in the car on the way home. When I woke up, I was so sad to find an empty bag. But I was still happy that I had a chance to bag up so many clouds from the sky.
Looking back, I realized how silly I was, but grateful that my parents let me enjoy being a kid. So, for as long as my kids are still kids, I will let them try to carry home clouds in zip lock bags from the mountains too.
When it’s cold outside, I always try to cook something hot to warm myself up. I love the feel of the hot soup warming up my body with each spoonful. It works way better than wrapping myself up in a blanket. I dug out the big piece of steak from my freezer that I bought on sale and decided to make a beef stew to warm ourselves up at night.
I usually like my beef stew packed with veggies because each vegetable brings another layer of flavor to the soup. Instead of adding sugar to balance the flavors, I prefer using the natural sweetness of vegetables. I love cooking stew in an Instant Pot because it tenderizes the meat so much that it just melts with the rich explosion of flavors in my mouth.
Not only is this easy one pot stew recipe delicious, but it’s also loaded with nutrients. Beef provides high quality protein, iron, and vitamin B, which supports muscle health and energy production. The colorful vegetables, including carrots, onion, celery, and baby potatoes, are rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that promote overall wellness. Plus, the edamame adds a plant-based protein boost, making this stew a wholesome, nutrient-rich meal.
As soon as I opened the Instant Pot at dinner time, the savory aroma of the beef stew filled up the entire room. Everyone ate two full bowls packed to the brim. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing everyone at the table inhaling your food because it tastes so good. In minutes, the Instant Pot was empty. I asked the kids of they were still cold, and they both shook their heads and said, “No! We are so hot!” and smiled big!
I hope everyone will enjoy the yummy beef stew and warm up your tummies with big smiles on your face! 😊