Cozy Beef Stew to Support Healthy Brain Function

One of the most popular food dishes for fall also happens to be one of the best for supporting healthy brain function. The classic and humble beef stew is a veritable cornucopia of nutrients that have the capacity to help you thrive.

The star of beef stew is, of course, the beef. You can use your choice of cuts according to availability and your budget. Ideally, stew meat should be tender and lightly marbled with fat. Stew is named so because it should be cooked slowly, giving the meat time to tenderize. This is why you can use tougher cuts of beef, such as round, chuck and oxtail. Oxtail is especially good for stew—and your brain—because it contains abundant amounts of gelatin and fat. It’s not nearly as easy to find as round or chuck stew meat, however.

Bone broth—not water—is the base of the stew in this recipe. Bone broth contains copious amounts of glycine, an amino acid that may support cognition. Making a simple bone broth can be as easy as simmering a few beef bones in water for an hour or two with the lid on. Strain before using. Homemade bone broth is preferable, but store-bought bone broth will work, too.

The vegetable content of beef stew typically consists of carrots, celery, onion and garlic, at a minimum. Other ingredients often added include peas, potatoes, barley and more. Every vegetable has something to offer for health, especially onion and garlic, which belong to the Allium genus. Alliums have been studied for potential brain benefits. Specifically, it’s been found that Allium has antioxidant effects. Try this delicious recipe for Cozy Beef Stew and see what you think.

Cozy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Servings: 4-6

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 medium carrots, peeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 4 stalks celery, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 medium onion, rough-chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups bone broth
• 1 Tablespoon thyme
• 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a slow cooker, lay down the stew meat, covering the entire bottom of the crock.
2. Next, lay down all the chopped carrots and celery.
3. Place the onion and garlic among the carrots and celery.
4. Put a layer of diced potatoes on top.
5. Pour in the bone broth; just enough to cover.
6. Sprinkle the thyme on top.
7. Set the slow cooker on high to stew for 4 - 5 hours, or on low for 8 - 9 hours.
8. After the meat and vegetables are tender, about ten minutes before serving, mix a half cup of cold water with the cornstarch. Blend thoroughly and add it to the slow cooker.
9. Stir gently. Allow to stew 10 minutes longer, or until the broth thickens.
10. Serve hot.
11. Season with salt and pepper.
12. Garnish with parsley.

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