Introduction:
This hearty combination of Beef Stew, Cornbread, and Banana Pudding makes for a comforting, down-home meal that’s perfect for any occasion. The slow-simmered beef stew is rich and filling, the cornbread is buttery and slightly sweet, and the banana pudding provides the perfect sweet, creamy finish. Whether for Sunday dinner or a cozy family meal, this trio will satisfy your taste buds from start to finish.
Beef Stew
Ingredients:
- Beef chuck: 2 lbs (900g), cut into 1-inch cubes
- Onion: 1 large, diced
- Carrots: 4 medium, sliced
- Potatoes: 4 medium, peeled and cut into cubes
- Celery: 3 stalks, sliced
- Beef broth: 4 cups (950ml)
- Tomato paste: 2 tbsp
- Worcestershire sauce: 2 tbsp
- Flour: ¼ cup (30g)
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Salt: 1½ tsp
- Black pepper: 1 tsp
- Bay leaf: 1
- Thyme: 1 tsp (dried or fresh)
- Frozen peas: 1 cup (optional)
Instructions:
- Brown the Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Toss the beef cubes in flour, shaking off excess. Brown the beef in batches, ensuring all sides are seared (about 5 minutes per batch). Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Simmer: Stir in the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Add the beef broth, potatoes, thyme, bay leaf, and browned beef. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 1½ to 2 hours, until the beef is tender.
- Finish: In the last 15 minutes of cooking, stir in the frozen peas (if using). Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
Cornbread
Ingredients:
- Cornmeal: 1 cup (120g)
- All-purpose flour: 1 cup (120g)
- Granulated sugar: ¼ cup (50g)
- Baking powder: 1 tbsp
- Salt: ½ tsp
- Milk: 1 cup (240ml)
- Egg: 1 large
- Unsalted butter: ¼ cup (60g), melted
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and melted butter.
- Combine: Gradually stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before slicing and serving warm with butter.
Banana Pudding
Ingredients:
- Vanilla wafers: 1 box (about 11 oz)
- Bananas: 4-5 ripe, sliced
- Instant vanilla pudding mix: 1 (5 oz) box
- Milk: 3 cups (720ml)
- Sweetened condensed milk: 1 (14 oz) can
- Heavy cream: 1 cup (240ml), cold
- Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
Instructions:
- Prepare Pudding: In a large bowl, whisk together the pudding mix, milk, and sweetened condensed milk until smooth and thickened. Refrigerate for 5 minutes.
- Whip the Cream: In a separate bowl, whip the cold heavy cream and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Layer: In a trifle dish or 9×13-inch pan, layer vanilla wafers at the bottom, followed by a layer of sliced bananas. Spread a layer of pudding over the bananas, then a layer of whipped cream. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, ending with whipped cream on top.
- Chill: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the wafers to soften.
- Serve: Garnish with extra vanilla wafers or banana slices on top before serving.
Tips for Success:
- For the beef stew, use a tough cut of beef like chuck that becomes tender with slow cooking.
- Don’t overmix the cornbread batter to ensure a fluffy texture.
- The banana pudding is best when chilled overnight, allowing the wafers to absorb moisture and soften perfectly.
Recommendations:
- Serve the beef stew with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh parsley for added richness.
- Add honey butter to the cornbread for a sweeter touch.
- If you want a quicker banana pudding, use store-bought whipped topping in place of homemade whipped cream.
Nutrition (per serving):
Beef Stew:
- Calories: 400
- Protein: 35g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fat: 18g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
Cornbread:
- Calories: 200
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
Banana Pudding:
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fat: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
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