Have you ever been to St Louis, Missouri?
I think it might be a magic place… I think it might also be haunted. Like, seriously.
I’m here visiting my dearheart Rachel. The light here is like sun shining through milkglass. There are piles of leaves everywhere. The houses are HUGE! and beautifully bricked, and scary, and haunted, and regal. There’s so much beauty and pride here. And people say hello to one another when they walk down the street.
I’m staying in a house that has a claw foot tub and a lady ghost whose giant dragging skirt can occasionally be heard going down the stairs. I haven’t heard it yet. I had a preemptive conversation with the lady ghost explaining that when I get spooked, I also get screamy and punchy.
Beautiful and haunted, this place.
Yea… I’m a little scared
I need stew… like, right now!
I don’t put a lot of meat on my blog.
That’s because I have a tremendous appreciation for butter and sugar.
As Fall pulls into full swing, I find myself wanting to cook anything and everything in my dutch oven.
Soups. Stews. Things that have dumplings.
It’s time.
I paired sweet potato with stew beef to create a rich and flavorful stew.
There’s a splash of beer and Worcestershire sauce. Carrots and onions, of course. A good dose of tomato paste and beef broth.
It’s profoundly comforting.
This is a pot of food stuffs that is just begging to be shared.
This is a pot of food stuffs that may be best served in over-sized bowls, with couscous or rice, a blanket, a loved one, and a scary movie.
That sounds like a really good life.
Oh! You should also know that I love mixing sweet potatoes in things. Maybe you want to get into it too!
Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tacos relive summer just a little.
Sweet Potato and Kale Soup comfort town, major.
Dad’s Perfect Sweet Potato Pie if you’re thinking of making pie for the holiday… this is IT! my dad’s family recipe plus a bonus no-roll pie crust. amazing!
Beef and Sweet Potato Stew
makes a big pot. serves 6.
adapted from Epicurious.com
3/4 cup all-purpose flour with a big pinch of salt and pepper
1 1/4 pound stew beef, cut into 1-inch chunks
about 1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, coarsely diced
2 cups peeled and thickly sliced carrots
3/4 pound cremini mushrooms, cleaned and cut in half
6 cloves of garlic, minced
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup light beer
1 pound sweet potato, peeled and diced into 1-inch chunks
4 cups beef broth (more if you’d like it more soupy)
1 bay leaf
3 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1-2 tablespoons sugar
salt and pepper to taste
couscous and parsley to serve
In a large brown paper bag, place flour, salt, and pepper. Add diced beef. Close the bag. Hold it tight and shake. Open bag and make sure that all of the beef is lightly coated in flour and seasoning. Set aside.
In a large dutch oven (or giant soup pot), heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add as much beef as will fit along the bottom of the pan in a single layer. Cook, browning on all sides. The beef doesn’t need to be cooked through, just browned. Once all of the beef is cooked, remove from the pan and place on a plate. Set aside.
In the same dutch oven, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add onions and carrots and cook until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and garlic, and cook for another 3 minutes. Add tomato paste and heat through. Deglaze the pan with the beer, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pan as the beer steams.
Add the sweet potatoes, and cover with beef broth.
Add bay leaf, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce. Add beef. Turn heat to low and let gently simmer for 45 minutes, until the vegetables are cooked through,
Taste and add sugar (this helps the acidity), salt, and pepper as necessary.
Serve over couscous or rice with a sprinkling of fresh parsley.
Jess
Just made this. Best beef stew I have ever made. This is the recipe I have been looking for all my life..
Eve Giesin
This was delicious! I served it over brown rice and both my husband and I had leftovers for lunch the next day.
Sarah
I made this tonight and it was awesome. Thanks so much for a great recipe! xo
Katy
Made this for the first time last night . . . LOVED IT. The only thing I did differently was I served it over a heaping pile of buttery mashed potatoes, just to keep it light). ;)
Ashley Middleton
I made this for my dinner and had enough for lunch the next day – delicious, thank you!
Jenna Welch
This is so unbelievably good. Seriously, just try it.
Sarah
I’m not sure what kind of magical stove I’m missing but after two hours the carrots and potatoes were NO WHERE near cooked. Everything was chopped and cut as it looks in the picture. I will not be making this again and I’m really sad – it sounded delicious. But it’s a sad way to blow $40 dollars and end up having corn flakes for dinner.
Michele West
I have this on the stove right now! I can’t wait to try it! It smells amazing! I might try leaving the sweet potatoes out of the stew and serving it over them mashed. Yum!
Casey
This was so good, everyone loved it. But unfortunitly made everyone sick…excuse my ignorance but could it be from the beer? Nobody drinks in my family and maybe the alcohol wasn’t cooked out all the way?
Staci Smith
Just wanted to say thanks for such a scrumptious recipe! It was absolutely delicious and simple on top of that. I seriously had people asking for 3rds and 4ths. Next time I’ll make enough to freeze!
wayne
Made it simply awesome!
Partner is on Dialysis and white potatos off limits so this was a wonderful alternative
So good had 2 bowls !
Thanks for this 1
beefstew.ca
Fantastic site. Great recipes. Thank you very much. I will make a point of using some of the recipes given here.
I am developing my business beefstew.ca, working hard. learning fast. So far, it is paying off.
I really like the work that has been done on this site. I wish I had started sooner.
sincerely,
Robert McLean
Miriam
Poor lambs, cows, pigs and all animals who suffer just for to be eaten :(((( wake up people!!
Polly
I had a bit of a tinker with this recipe in a friend’s kitchen – in a wok! (He just moved in and isn’t fully equipped yet) Must say, the sweet potato element is utterly inspired! Thanks for giving me the guts to cook my very first beef stew, Joy :) http://tinyurl.com/cfb3btv
Vicki in texas
I made this over the weekend and it is so good! It is flavorful, rich and the sweet potatoes are perfect combination with the mushrooms and carrots. Even my husband who doesn’t like sweet potatoes loved it. Thanks!
Cory Lewandowski
Just made this. Man is it refreshing when you can cook something and have it come out actually looking like the pictures from the website. Tastes great too. Thanks for teaching me how to cook over these past two years, Joy.
landon
I totally know the pastor of the church in the photo you shot.
rock on.
joythebaker
woah! small godly world.
Marianne
Bourbon? And perhaps a sprinkling of dried cranberries? Totally Christmasy :-)
Michelle Sexton
suddenly I am in the mood for beef stew!!! i think i need to make it this week. :)
Kim
I want this cooking away on my stove right now. I wonder if they make a beef stew candle? Is that weird?
Pam
Wow, you found a way to make stew interesting! i did not think it was possible.
Gen
Looks perfect for Fall, such a comforting food!
Kristin
We lived at Ft. Leonard-Wood (2 hours from St. Louis) back in 2009 for a few months. St. Louis was fun! I love the historical aspect of it, and, by ALL means, get yourself to the City Museum. You will not be sorry! We still talk about how great/weird/interesting it was :)
Megan
LOVING your blog! I made beef stew this weekend too, I think on the exact same day! Carrots, potatoes, beer, paprika, beef, and some homemade honey bread. Mmm! I like the added spices in yours, though.
Have fun in St. Louis. I’ve always wanted to visit there since some friends moved there and were obsessed.
Kathleen
Joy, I hope you get to visit City Museum while you’re in St. Louis!
Leslie
Made this last night and it was AMAZING! The broth is the best part! Thanks for sharing this great recipe!
Steve O.
Hello Joy!
Thank you for such kind words about my (and other’s) fair city! I’m sooooo glad to see that a visitor was able to see what I see almost every day. The ‘old’ beauty of it all; brick everywhere, (mostly) smiling people who DO say ‘hi,’ the sweet smells of pork and beer wafting in the air, and yes…ghosts. Next time you’re in town…stop by for dinner! :) Beer butt chicken for EVERYONE!!
anna
aw so beautiful and comforting! i love sweet potatoes. good luck with that lady ghost!
Katie
I am loving sweet potatoes too… putting them in everything which drives my husband bonkers! I can’t help it though, they are SOOOOO good! There’s a pub in bellingham WA that serves a Yam Burrito. It’s a little bit of heaven and I’m going to try to recreate it soon. <3
Renee
Boundary Bay! The best!
Jessica @ How Sweet
I’m thinking this could get me married again. Beer!! Yes please.
B
I hope you had some of our wonderful Provel cheese!
Erin @ Hot Dinner Happy Home
I want to go home and eat Black Bean & Sweet Potato Tacos as an appetizer. Then Beef & Sweet Potato Stew for my main course. And after that I’m gonna make some whipped cream, dollop it all over my Perfect Sweet Potato Pie, and eat it strait from the dish while I watch TV. My evening will finish in a deep and perfect sweet potato coma. Send for help if you don’t hear from me by tomorrow.
Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen
I’ve never thought of having rice or couscous with a bowl of soup. Do you mix it in or eat it on the side?
Maggie
Ooo, I’m from St. Louis, and love it oh-so-much! Might I recommend some St. Louis style pizza that has delicious provel cheese (Imo’s is the best), some toasted ravioli and gooey butter cake! Oh, and Boulevard Wheat. It is delicious. I miss my St. Louis staples.
cory @ eat and {relish}
joy – this reminds me so much of what my dad used to make weekly growing up! i am irish and he always made beef & guiness stew – very very similar, and very cozy. awesome for days of leftovers (read: NO DISHES!) thanks for the instewration.
Lucia
Joy, we’re all scared. We all need stew. Thanks.
April
I took a picture of those manhole covers when in St. Louis, also. . .they’re so retro and industrial.
Jesse
there is nothing more homey and comforting that beef stew. ahhhh, makes me want to take a big old nap right at my desk. is that bad?
Maria
I hope you’re having fun in the Lou! I’ve been living there for almost 4 years, and it’s cool to see it featured on the blog. Be sure to stop by Crown Candy Kitchen for the BEST shakes you’ll ever have in your life! Skip the fabled St. Louis style pizza, though, especially Imo’s. Plastic provel cheese on cardboard. I’m much more a fan of pizza from my hometown, beautiful Chicago.
Rebecca@A Dusting of Sugar
That looks fantastic! Have you ever tried to make lamb stew? With like, layers of thinly sliced potatoes and onions and it’s all buttery on top….sigh. I’m seriously not trying to plug my blog or anything, but I posted about the lamb stew recipe I’ve been using since I was like, 11 years old. Check it out if you please. http://www.adustingofsugar.com/2011/05/lamb-stew.html
joythebaker
I love lamb stew! Your version sounds incredible!!!
Sally
I think Beef Stew is the quintessential winter stew. I like the beer in your recipe (I initially typed beef. Um, duh). I’ll definitely be trying this one out!
Ellen
Have a lovely time in St. Louis!!! I live pretty close to St. Louis and I LOVE visiting. It’s the prettiest city I’ve been to. You should go to City Coffee House & Creperie, and Pie Pizzeria. Two AMAZING restaraunts! P.S. You should drive by Busch Stadium and see our WORLD CHAMPION stadium! :)
Clara
I love the photo of the meat in the flour, Joy! So creative the way you put it in the paper bag. I may have to use that idea!
Sarah
Looks like its time I stop staring at my dutch oven, asking it “what am I going to use you for?!” and get on making this stew.
Meg H.
Best place in St. Louis is the City Museum! Best kids’ museum but adults will love it too. Lots of things to climb, crawl through, slide down! Made me feel like a kid again – awesome. Oh, and Ted Drewes – even in a snowstorm a must have.
Sprigs of Rosemary
I just mixed sweet potatoes in with a beef stew. Maybe you’re haunting me! It was indeed delicious. I’m sold.
joythebaker
Totally haunting you!
Emma
Stew looks lovely – beef and sweet potato go so naturally together.
Missouri sounds a lovely place! Am v. jealous of the spooky house and claw foot bath, sounds like my dream home.
Family Meals and Cooking Tips
I feel all warm and cozy just reading through this recipe. Gotta love how comfort food does that to you. Also, a dish like this is great as I can “hide” alot of the veggies amongst the meat and gravy from my children and anothe rbonus is that there’s no “green stuff” that they so violently refuse to eat. This will surely be a winner on our dinner table.
Kaci
Ted Drewes!! And St. Charles for beignets.
joythebaker
YES!
Kaci
:)!
katie
Joy — love your blog. Like love-love. I’m a longtime follower, but a first-time commenter, and I just wanted to let you know that your blogs and your podcasts make me smile and laugh, I love your recipes, and I love the example you set for other young women. cheers!
joythebaker
Thank you for the lovely comment!
Hannah @ Sparrow + Spark!
This looks amazing. The temperature has dropped here this week, so I will making this this weekend!
Michelle T
What camera do you use? The pictures looks very nice! with a bit of a rustic feel as well :)
joythebaker
Canon 5d.
Amelia
That stew sounds amazingly homely. Tonight I grilled slices of sweet potato with my salmon. Big fan of sweet potato. Also, nothing good ever happens in a stand alone, claw-footed bath. Just saying.
Tiffany
This is sheer brilliance! I absolutely have a crush on sweet potatoes and this sounds SO yummy! Thanks for the great recipe idea :)
Cheryl
Joy, so fun to hear your in St. Louis. I am a true blue St. Louisian. I passionately believe that St. Louis and the Metropolitan area are treasures and great places to live and enjoy life. We have fantastic architecture and great neighborhoods. Forest Park is a total Gem!! We have great cafes, restaurants, coffee shops, and little nooks and crannies.
Ooh Lolli Lolli in the DeMun neighborhood is the cutest candy shop I have ever visited. Kakao in Maplewood had delicious handcrafted chocolate. Fritanga, a small very very casual Nicaraguan restaurant has SUPERB dishes, Pho Grand on So. Grand is a must for Vietnamese. Bogart’s or Pappy’s for BBQ. I agree about Fozzie’s, great sandwiches. Sweetie Pie’s offers up some great Comfort Food. Pi for Chicago style Pizza, Blackthorn Pizza, Vito’s, Racanelli’s or Farotto’s for pizza. Gelato del Riso on the Hill has gelato that rivals gelato from Italy.
Soaking up the atmosphere at the corner of Maryland and Euclid in the Central West End is a pleasant way to spend some time. Great local coffee at Kaldi’s. Grandma’s Cookies on Main St. in Old St. Charles is a perfect place to pop in while you stroll the shops.
The best Hot n Sour soup in St. Louis is at Chinese Noodle Cafe on Delmar on the east end of the “The Loop. We also have great Indian, Persian, Thai, Italian, and Greek restaurants through out the city and near Metro area.
I hope you enjoy your stay!!
joythebaker
My stay was THE BEST! Thank you for your awesome comment!
Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking
Mmmmm…warm yummy, beef stew with a nice comfy throw, and a good book (or the laptop for reading blogs!)!
We went to St. Louis when I was like 8. I remember going up in the Arch, the Clydesdales, and the pizza we ordered from our hotel room that came with Velveeta Cheese on it. Boy, was my mom pi**ed about that!
Jay
I was about to say that St Louis (my partner’s name is Louis, so I’m guessing we’ll have to visit there when we make it to the US … ) looks like the city they filmed the original Exorcist movie in, but that was Washington … Anywho, your stew looks delicious. Beef stew in the colder months is my absolute favourite thing, I make it in the slow cooker frequently so the meat is super tender and the ‘juice’ turns to thick gravy. Have never put sweet potato in though, will give it a go.
Joy I’ve been meaning to ask: do you have different varieties of sweet potato over there? We have one called ‘Kumara’ (NZ native name) which comes in many varieties, purple skin, yellow, golden. They are all equally delicious. I’ve only noticed one colour in US recipes/blogs. Thanks!
joythebaker
We have yams and sweet potatoes, but they don’t come in crazy colors. Lucky you!
Morgan
We get purple skinned ones here in CA too, they are called Japanese yams. We usually have about 4 or 5 varieties. This recipe sounds fantastic. Thank you. I subscribe to the idea that sweet potato makes everything better.
Dalai Lina
Welcome to Missouri! We are pretty nice :)
loren
I love the blog and the stew looks amazing! I adore beef stew, but can’t use any alcohol in my cooking these days.
Think it’d still be good sans beer or do you know of any good substitutions?
Thanks :)
joythebaker
I would just use beef stock to deglaze. Unfiltered apple juice might be nice too.
loren
awesome. i’ll be trying it soon. thanks again!
Lauren
Just wanted to say this looks amazing… (and I’m so glad that every single one of your recipes doesn’t feature nutella…)
Clarissa
I grew up in the burbs of St. Louis, honestly, never found it magical or interesting and got out of there for college! I have more food recommendations, toasted ravioli is definitely a must! Also, a yummy cupcake place in Chesterfield (where I grew up) called Whipt Cream. They have really light and not too sweet italian buttercream. Enjoy the rest of your stay!
Ashley @ Peace.Love.Pastries.
I’m a pescetarian, so I normally skip over “meat posts” when I see them on the blogs I follow; however, I always love what you write, so I want you to know that I did NOT skip over this one.
joythebaker
Thank you Ashley!!
Natashia@foodonpaper
This looks exactly like the stew my mum makes, so yum!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
I love a big bowl of hearty stew. Sooo yummy!
Ann P.
Perfect for a foggy, cold, haunted day! We don’t get much of those in San Diego, but I think I may make up an excuse to make this awesome fall meal anyway :)
Eggton
Oh I do with stews weren’t my downfall. I always overdo the browning, even though I know that the meat knows that I will overdo the browning and we both try to get out of there as soon as possible. About the sweet potato obsession–I know you’ve been cooking and baking for ages but if you don’t have an absolute to-die-for roasted sweet potato fries recipe, try this one, which makes me kind of want to cry. http://eggton.wordpress.com/2011/10/02/history-lesson-with-sweet-potato-fries/
Cheers!
Ellen
Growing up in St. Louis I can’t say I had any ghostly experiences, but it is beautiful!
Get yourself some pizza at Pi or a dessert drink at The Chocolate Bar if you can. I miss those places.
Katie
So glad you’re enjoying STL. I’m from there originally, although I live on the other side of the state now. It’s a pretty awesome city! Also- your stew looks amazing. I’m not big on sweet potatoes, but I’m going to have to try this recipe!
Rebekah
I’m originally from St. Louis, moved to Nebraska 7 years ago.
Susan
Joy, happy, happy you are here in St. Louis. I just made a pumpkin rum cake….want to come over and have some? Pho Grand–definitely–make sure to have the iced coffee. And since you love collecting beautiful vintage dishes, visit Tin Roof Antiques near Maplewood. And the White Rabbit and Annex next door. I’m sure you’ll find treasures. Then head up the street to Acero, try the tasting menu, and Jimmy’s a.ma.zing flourless chocolate torte.
joy battaglia
I live in Kansas City, Missouri – a short drive on 1-70 – welcome to midwest! If you can make sure to see the Arch it’s really cool even if you don’t go to the top of it. And we have a saying here if you don’t like the weather just wait a couple of mins and it will change – Have fun!
maggie
as a st. louis native, i am so, so happy to hear you like it! that really is a tremendous city.
Lora
I must second the suggestion to go to Pho Grand for Vietnamese, it is wonderful!
Oh yes, the stew sounds yummy, I trying to think if I have enough ingredients to pull it off tonight, it is mighty chilly out.
Michelle :)
Do you like St. Louis??
I seriously considering going to school there in next fall (St. Louis University is my top choice) but my parents are freaking out over the crime rate.
i’ve been there twice and found it absolutely beautiful both times.
PS: I told my friend i loved her just like you said!!
PPS: the dinner quandry for tomorrow? SOLVED. Thank you once again!!
joythebaker
I think it’s an enchanting place. Crime is everywhere in life. Live where you please.
Amanda
Hi Michelle,
I grew up in St. Louis, went to college in Chicago and moved back to St. Louis after graduation because I couldn’t find a city I loved more. I knew and still know a lot of people who went to SLU for college and loved it. As for the crime rate, take it with a grain of salt. St. Louis is one of the few cities in the US in which the city and the county (the suburbs) are counted separately when figuring out the crime rate. Therefore, the data pool is very small. It’s really just like any other city in terms of crime. There are tons of great parts and a few places you need to be smart about going. Let me know if you have anymore questions! I’m a huge advocate for my city :)
Rebecca in STL
Michelle, I’m a graduate student at St. Louis University, and I can assure you that the crime rate is vastly overstated. I park on what’s often referred to as a “bad” side street around campus, and it’s no less safe than most streets in America. I’ve never been threatened or mugged. My car has never been broken into. We get regular crime updates from the campus police and the vast majority of the incidents take place at 2 or 3am when a student is walking alone and not paying attention–usually talking on an cell phone or listening to their ipod…and sometimes intoxicated. It just takes some common sense. I hope you decide to come!
Savorique
I had beef stew this weekend! But it’s a great idea to use sweet potatoes as a tastier and healthier substitute for regular potatoes.
katie @KatieDid
I have been to St. Louis for one weekend to visit my brother when he was living there. So much culture there in certain parts. I wish I could remember the names of the cute cafes we stopped in but there were several!
Katie
I love beef stew. And I love places that have soul and ghosts and feel like autumn. It’s what I missed most when I lived in SoCal. My grandpa used to make beef stew – a really old school 1950s beef stew recipe- served with canned corn and fluffy, creamy, buttery mashed potatoes. He also made the world’s best cobbler and big coke floats. Beef stew reminds me of him and reminds me of home. Thanks for the post and have fun on your trip!
Julie
LOVE sweet potatoes! I throw them in pot roast all of the time.
How do you prepare the couscous? Just plain, or do you spice it up at bit?
Cassie
Definitely adding sweet potatoes to my stew next time, thanks for the inspiration. Have fun in St. Louis! I’ve been there and would concur with your theory that it’s haunted. Beautiful city though!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma)
I love your description of St. Louis. It sounds so cool!
Redd H from Salted Spoon
I just made beef stew for the first time last night with a different recipe. Mine was pretty good but a little thin. Is this why you coat the beef in flour? Does that make for a thicker stew, or is it for another reason?
I’m definitely trying this recipe on the next round!
natalie (the sweets life)
happy that you’re in stl and experiencing all its glory! highly recommend many of the above recommendations you received and can’t wait to hear about the rest of your trip :)
heather @ chiknpastry
If you’re still there, don’t leave without having a LOT of cocktails at Taste! we went through there for a couple of days in September and I think we had at least 4 different drinks a piece.
They should have a fancy new apple drink that I got to “preview” – definitely get that! (and the stormy french..)
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
That looks like comfort in a bowl. I love soups and stews this time of year. My husband has some weird aversion to them though. Just means more for me :)
Linda
Welcome to our lovely city! Hope you continue to have a magical time. ;)
Katelyn
That stew looks awesome! I love to put sweet potato in things too, and eat it with brown sugar, and make it into fries, and hash browns with smoked paprika, and well you get the idea.
My husband is from St. Louis and we go back all the time to visit his family. As another reader said definitely check out Ted Drewes (Yay frozen custard!) and the art museum. Some other places to check out: The Loop (area near WashU with lots of cool bookstores, food, shops), the Hill (a quirky historical Italian neighborhood with awesome Italian restaurants), downtown St. Charles (suburb of St. Louis with a historic main street & cutesy shops decked out for Christmas), and Laumeier Sculpture Park. Favorite restaurants include 1111 Mississippi (moderately priced), Niche (fancy pants-chef’s tasting menus and things like bonito dirt and custard served in an eggshell), and Pi (specifically the location on the Loop-St. Louis style pizza with cornmeal crust).
And I have to agree, the people of St. Louis are some of the friendliest around. Have you noticed they even drive politely with blinkers and everything?
Rachel
You must go to Taste for cocktails. It’s in the central west end, and they make the best drinks I have ever had (and I lived in New York). Gilly’s cupcakes are also amazing. But if you had to choose one go for the cocktails. Did I mention I almost never drink, and I’m still this enthusiastic.
Charlotte
this looks like a seriously autumnal stew. let’s say, if it was a cold day and I’d come in from a walk, it would be perfect to find this on the table. need to bookmark! :)
Julie @BananasForBourbon
I have been to St. Louis. There are certainly things to love, but also many many deal breakers that would prevent me from living there. Case in point, my husband was there for work once. He called me from the grocery store saying “They don’t have ANY good bread! They have only TWO kinds of wheat bread, and they’re not even whole wheat. And they look disgusting! I could never live here!” I’ve been an excellent whole-grain influence on him. :)
Did you get to Papi’s? Best BBQ in St. Louis!
I’m totally craving the stews as well. I’m a total wuss when it comes to cold – I do live in San Diego, after all – so the fact that it’s overcast and under 70 outside has me running to turn on my oven. ;)
Amanda (Eating Up)
Okay, I have to step in and defend my beloved hometown here. As a fellow bread lover myself, I have to give props to the many wonderful bread makers in STL! After all Panera Bread Co. actually originated in St. Louis as St. Louis Bread Co. National chains aside, we also have a few Great Harvest franchises as well as our local bakeries Companion, Black Bear Bakery, 222 Artisan Bakery, The Daily Bread and Red Guitar Bread, many of which have their bread sold in stores and restaurants around the city. If your husband ever comes back in town, I hope he gives some of these places a try! :)
Linda
I have no idea where your husband went grocery shopping, but I assure you my grocery store has at least six kinds of wheat bread. :)
Rebecca in STL
Did your husband go to the Shop n Save or something? Seriously, this place is full of old Italians, Germans, and Bosnians who love their native breads. Vitales, Companion, Black Bear, and, of course, St. Louis Bread Co (Panera to the rest of the world) all make amazing local bread options and several of them distribute to the area grocery stores/restaurants. And if all else fails, there’s always the bakery at Whole Foods.
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
A resounding YES to the sweet potatoes in everything! That is 100% a great habit of yours :)
My extended family is from Missouri — a couple of hours away from St. Louis — and it is, indeed, a different sort of place. It’s taken on a mythical quality from my infrequent childhood pilgrimages there.
Amy Jo
St. Louis resident and blog lurker here. Just came across your blog recently, and I’m hooked. You had me from the don’t dress up as a sexy panda post. Too funny. Cool to see the city from your perspective. I’ve been here for 14 years now, and I guess I kinda forgot why I loved it in the first place. Thanks for reminding me :-) Enjoy your stay!
Nicole
Welcome to the Lou! It’s so weird to read your post about being in St. Louis when it’s the city that you live in yourself. I hope you enjoy your stay. You’re right, St. Louisans are very friendly and I think we sometimes take that for granted. It’s nice to hear what a visitor thinks of our wonderful, unique city. It’s always been “home” and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Oh, and your stew recipe looks fabulous!
Jane Robinson
Welcome to the Midwest. We’re pretty friendly folk. Imana make that stew for dinner tonight. Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your tripsie!
Megan
I am also super into sweet potatoes in everything. And stew is my fave. Let’s get meaty with it.
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
This reminds me of the kind of food my grandma would make when I was growing up. Hearty and comforting. Your pictures are gorgeous, as always!
Erin
Welcome to lovely St. Louis! :) I hope you have a fabulous time here.
Melody (Redhead in the Kitchen)
I just left the house after my lunch break with a big pot of stock simmering on the stove (boyfriend is home), so this is such a timely post. Yum! And wait! I want to know the story behind the lady with the dragging dress! I am so on the edge of my seat with this one.
Ella
I love STL! My dad grew up just across the river in Alton, which is supposedly one of the most haunted towns in America. I got creeped out just eating at a restaurant in a hotel that allegedly had a variety of ghost friends living there.
Stacy @ Say it with Sprinkles
Yum, beef stew!! Perfect for chilly November weather =)
Jessica Ann
This looks amazing. I am all about stews at the moment. Stews and pulled pork. I could totally not stay in a haunted house.
Erin McLaury
Enjoy your time in St. Louis, Joy! I’ve called it home for 30 years (my old-entire-life give or take a few away for college and adventures) and it’s a great place to be.
Also – I am making this beef stew immediately.
bdaiss
Aw, I miss the ‘Lou. (Lived there for 4 years fresh out of college. What fun times!) Please, go have some Ted Drewes, Fried Ravioli, and take a stroll through the Art Museum for me!
Jacqui MacNeill (Escents Aromatherapy Essential Oils)
A classic beef stew recipe! Good to have these kinds of recipes in your pocket as the weather cools. I’ve been doing a lot of similar recipes in my slow cooker for convenience. Thanks for sharing! :)
Katie
I grew up in St. Louis, and though I’ve lived in several different places since then, STL remains my all time favorite. I love the city so, so much and am pleased to hear that you’re enjoying it! Things have gotten chilly where I am now, but I bet your stew is just the thing to warm me up.
Jen Marie
Looks sooo good. I love sweet potatoes!
Perfect fall dinner for when it’s cold and windy outside.
Irina G (Fit Flexitarian)
I’m reading this from my office at work, wearing a snuggie and shivering but reading about this yummy-sounding stew positively warmed me up. After being a lifelong picky eater, I just discovered sweet potatoes. I don’t make a lot of meat for myself, but I think my family would LOVE this. I;m actually super into the kale and sweet potato soup. I’ll be making one (or both) of these very soon.
Keep having fun in St. Louis! It sounds magical. :-)
Valeria
St Louis is one of the few cities I vivited in the US and I loved it. Is my fiancée home town and that explains a lot about him and the reason why I love him –he’s a little hunted, too :)
we didn’t eat stew, unfortunately, but went to a thai restaurant (pretty tasty!) and than to the zoo, and this is when I found uot puffins are my favorite animals and bought a keychain with a puffin that now is our Italian-exotic pet. It sounds confusing, I know…I think I need stew and calm down :)
Kathryn
I have a bit of a phobia of stews but I think I need to embrace the fear because this looks delicious and perfect for this time of year!