Hearty Cold-Weather Stews

source: the cosmic cowgirl

Stew is comfort food, plain and simple. It's hearty, filling, and flavorful and, typically, hot making it perfect for those cold evenings.

And the fact that it's a one-pot meal adds to its appeal as a easy fix, one that can be started in the crock pot in the morning and by closing time, it's done. Viola, dinner!

Ingredients can include just about anything edible (in good taste, obviously), including any combination of vegetables, fruits, and meats.

• Using not-so-lean cuts of beef for beef stews is a good thing; those extra ribbons of marble (read "fat") produce moist and juicy stews! Leaner cuts of beef will often end up tough and chewy.

• Pork stews do best with pork shoulder and chicken stews thrive with breast and thigh cuts.

• As for vegetables and fruits, fresh is best. Frozen and canned versions may work, but, if you can, avoid them. The "root" vegetables also hold up the best in stews - carrots, radishes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc.

I've scoured the web in search of stew recipes for you and think I've come up with some great ones...enjoy!

Irish Beef Stew With Guinness Stout
Yes, you read correctly, Guinness Irish Stout is used in this recipe creating a unique and wonderful taste sensation!
image and recipe source: Simply Recipes

Mahogany Beef Stew
Hoisin sauce brings a sweet, salty, and spicy taste to this recipe...if you're not used to it, you may want to use less than what the recipe calls for.
image and recipe source: Food.com

Chicken Stew
A simple and satisfying chicken stew ready to eat in about 35 minutes. From Giada De Laurentiis.
image and recipe source: Food Network

Harvest Pork Stew
I've personally made this wonderful stew and I love it! The pork comes out tender and juicy and the vegetables are wonderful!
image and recipe source: Allrecipes