You may also choose to add fennel, shallots or leaks into this mixture.
If you plan to cook your stew in a Dutch oven, you may want to Sauté the aromatics before browning your meat and use the same pot.
Stew meats are generally less expensive, tougher cuts of meat. The braising process breaks down the fats in the meat, tenderizing them. Choose meats like pork shoulder, chicken thighs, chuck roast, bottom round, or even meats labeled “stew meat. "
Generally, the longer the cooking time, the bigger your pieces of meat should be. You do not want your meat to overcook. Not all meat needs to be cut before adding it to a stew. Chicken thighs, chicken wings and short ribs can be cooked with the bone in and removed while eating.
If you are using a slow cooker, you should add the deglazed sauce, meat and aromatics to the crock pot now.
If you are using a slow cooker, you should only cover approximately half of the volume of the ingredients with your liquid. The cooker will concentrate all the steam and juices inside the pot.
If you are cooking a stew in a slow cooker, it will need to cook for 4 hours on the high setting or 6 to 8 hours on the low setting.
If you add the root vegetables too soon, they will be mushy.
