Mike and I divvy the household chores pretty evenly based on what each of us is good at. I do all the cooking, except on occasions few and far between. On the rare off night that I don’t feel like cooking or going out, I ask Mike to cook. He typically responds that me asking him to cook is like him asking me to engineer a computer network. Since there’s truth to that, I let it go and those are typically the nights we order in or eat eggs.
I consider myself lucky because one of my main chores – cooking – is something I really enjoy. It relaxes me. Other things I absolutely love about cooking are how genuinely grateful people are for a home-cooked meal, and how amazing it feels to feed good food to family and friends. Also, I think there’s something truly magical about cooking. Some dishes are so beautiful and taste so glorious that they look like you slaved away all day on them when in fact they took minimal effort. This is one such dish. Aside from the 30 minutes or so that it takes to get it in the oven, it pretty much cooks itself. If you want to make this on a day that you won’t be home, you could put it in a crock pot instead of the oven, and come home to a fabulous meal and a house full of delicious smells. 
Braised Beef & Vegetables
(Yield: 8 servings)
2 TB olive oil
About 2 lb sirloin beef steak, trimmed of fat and cut into 8 large pieces
1/2 small head green cabbage, chopped (about 6 c)
2 large onions, chopped
4 large carrots, chopped into 2-inch pieces
4 large stalks celery, chopped into 2-inch pieces
4 large cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, with juices
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1-2 TB tamari sauce (optional, but I think it adds a nice depth of flavor)
1 tsp Mrs. Dash seasoning*
1 tsp dried marjoram
2 tsp dried thyme
2 bay leaves
2 beef bouillon cubes
Kosher salt and pepper
Fresh minced parsley (optional, for garnish)
Add oil to a 5-quart pot with a lid (preferably a Dutch oven) over high heat; add meat once the oil starts to ripple. Sear meat until browned on all sides (about 2-3 minutes per side); remove and set aside (you may need to cook the meat in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pan).
Preheat oven to 275F. To the pot you seared the meat in, add cabbage, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, and 1/2 tsp kosher salt; turn heat down to medium and cook (covered) until the veggies are starting to soften (about 15 minutes), stirring occasionally. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tamari sauce, Mrs. Dash Seasoning, marjoram, thyme, bay leaves, bouillon, and just enough water to cover the veggies (about 2 c). Add the meat with its juices that have collected back into the pot. Cover the pot, turn heat up to medium-high, and bring it to a boil.
Transfer the pot to the oven and cook about 3 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender. Taste broth and season with salt and pepper as desired. For each serving, ladle veggies and broth into a shallow bowl and top with a piece of meat. Serve garnished with fresh minced parsley if desired.
*Mrs. Dash is a salt-free seasoning blend. I use the “Table Blend” that contains the following: onion, black pepper, chili pepper, parsley, celery seed, basil, bay, marjoram, oregano, savory, thyme, cayenne pepper, coriander, cumin, mustard, rosemary, garlic, orange peel, carrot, lemon juice powder, tomato, red bell pepper, citric acid, and oil of lemon.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella says
November 17, 2010 at 6:14 pmHehe Faith, we are always so similar with both of our beef stories today! This looks wonderful! :D
Elpi says
November 17, 2010 at 6:49 pmMy nanny usually cooked this food. I really miss this since I got married I stayed in my wife’s house and we usually eat canned foods.
Swathi says
November 17, 2010 at 7:04 pmFaith,
This look like a ultimate comfort food which need only some sides.
Nutmeg Nanny says
November 17, 2010 at 9:39 pmSuch a great looking meal! This would be perfect for all these cold NY days :)
Honey @ honeyandsoy says
November 17, 2010 at 9:47 pm30 minutes! I’m keeping this for a crockpot meal one day. It looks so delicious and hearty.
Anna Johnston says
November 17, 2010 at 10:07 pmYep, this one would work great in the crockpot for sure Faith ;)
Carolyn Jung says
November 17, 2010 at 11:01 pmNow, THAT is exactly what I want on a blustery evening like tonight. YUM!
Rosa says
November 17, 2010 at 11:30 pmUn wonderful dish!
Cheers,
Rosa
Maria @ Scandifoodie says
November 17, 2010 at 11:50 pmThat is such a lovely dish!
Katerina says
November 18, 2010 at 12:57 amI know what you mean when it comes to cooking comfortable meals. I make this too in a little different way and serve it with mashed potatoes. It is beyond words. I like your version too. Next time I will try to use some of the ingredients you used in this one.
Cara says
November 18, 2010 at 1:03 amI couldn’t agree with your words more.
It’s exactly how I feel about cooking.
I am entertaining a small group of 10 people on Sat. and am so excited to cook them up a good home-cooked meal, which is extra special to foreigners living here in Korea, as most of them do not cook for themselves. It will be a nice treat for them and it makes me so happy.
Beth says
November 18, 2010 at 2:56 amBookmarked. Because of some work we’re doing in our kitchen, I’ll be using my crockpot a lot. I can’t wait to try this one!
Heavenly Housewife says
November 18, 2010 at 3:33 amThis is what I call “man food”, its a total hubby pleaser. Great recipe :D
*kisses* HH
coco says
November 18, 2010 at 4:00 amfantastic dish! It looks like restaurant dish.. so pretty and so delicious!!! :D
Julie M. says
November 18, 2010 at 5:11 amMy husband would really love this dish. He\’s a huge meat eater! Your pictures are so perfect as well. It\’s definitely a perfect cold weather dish.
Joanne says
November 18, 2010 at 5:33 amAs much as I am not a big meat eater, there’s little that comforts me more than a nice piece of fall-apart beef cooked to perfect and deeply flavored by stewing in a lovely spice and herb mix. Like this. Beautiful.
My Carolina Kitchen says
November 18, 2010 at 5:37 amIt’s a great time for braises. I too like a dash of soy sauce or tamari in beef stews. Gives them a little uumph.
Sam
Mary says
November 18, 2010 at 7:44 amWhat a wonderful post. Your luscious stew is beautiful to look at and I’m sure it is delicious as well. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings…Mary
Carol says
November 18, 2010 at 8:08 amI could just smell it, looks so good. I love a nice, hearty meal like that! Would go over big at my house!
Victoria says
November 18, 2010 at 8:25 amOoooh, love the flavors in the sauce, and I agree that Tamari probably imparts a really great flavor!
Krista says
November 18, 2010 at 8:59 amI love meals that you can “set & forget”. Coming in the door to a meal that’s ready is just like ordering out!
Chiara says
November 18, 2010 at 9:14 amwow, look at that! It’s cold and rainy here today, I wish I could dig into some of that beef and veggies!
Louanne says
November 18, 2010 at 10:21 amWhat a perfect fall meal, Faith. The husband would go nuts for this (me, too, of course!)
Rich says
November 18, 2010 at 12:26 pmMrs. Dash is a lifesaver – and this looks delicious! Also, is there a Mr. Dash? I mean, she’s married, right? That’s why it’s Mrs. and not Ms.? One of life’s great mysteries, I suppose.
Lazaro says
November 18, 2010 at 12:28 pmFaith,
I agree. I find cooking to be an absolute pleasure, never a job or a chore. If it becomes a chore, get a takeaway.
Gotta include the tamari sauce. It does add so much.
Lovely photo and presentation
Blond Duck says
November 18, 2010 at 12:28 pmIt sounds magnificent!
Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather says
November 18, 2010 at 1:35 pmI would definitely make this in the crockpot sometime. I made a simple beef and cabbage fish recently that turned out really tasty. Crockpots save my life.
Erica says
November 18, 2010 at 1:41 pmJosh and I are the SAME way (except we’re both engineers so he can’t use the engineer joke on me ;)). I love cooking and I do 99.9% of the cooking that goes on in the house…and I love it :) This dish looks fantastic. I need to try making this some time when we’re having company
admin says
November 18, 2010 at 3:37 pmErica, Yeah, I have to give it to Mike for the computer engineering thing, lol! But it’s ok, when he comes across a contract or some other form of legalese, he always comes to me to interpret it. It’s all about teamwork, right? ;)
Emily Z says
November 18, 2010 at 1:47 pmSo, your husband is a computer guy, too, huh? So’s mine! Gotta love those computer saavy types! :) Matthew grills in the warmer weather, but that is about it. When he grills, I am off the hook, but the rest of the time, it’s up to me. Like you, I enjoy it. He also does the laundry, which I LOVE! Anyway, this dish looks so fantastically hearty and delicious. Perfect for cold weather!
Karyn Bernard (French Charming) says
November 18, 2010 at 1:49 pmHi Sweet Friend,
I’m glad you and your hubby split the chores…my man stinks at cleaning…but then I stink at cooking. I absolutely love this and I’m printing it to add to my collection of your amazing recipes…”The Italian” loves cooking your recipes and I love eating them!!
xoxo
Karyn
deana@lostpastremembered says
November 18, 2010 at 3:10 pmOh I wish Dr.Lostpast liked to clean… that would be heaven… but this dish would inspire anyone to pitch in… great combination, Faith@!!!
Chaya says
November 18, 2010 at 3:53 pmI have to laugh. I was reading the list of ingredients and I got to tamari sauce and thought, “this has to be good” and then I saw your optional. Tamari can never be optional, in my opinion. I love it. I am glad you prefer it. I think it adds so much to a dish.
This is another one of those warming dishes for the cool weather.
I was sure I had written a comment before until I read down the comments. Do you think, I am finding too many worthwhile blogs? Yours is on top of the list.
peachkins says
November 18, 2010 at 3:58 pmOMG, I think I’d go crazy juts looking at your photo! it looks sooooooo tasty!
Raina says
November 18, 2010 at 5:26 pmThis is a great recipe! Like you, though I love to cook, some nights I am just too busy or too tired, and I love finding meals like this that are popped in a crockpot or oven and ready when you need them. It sounds great and I think my picky family will be thrilled:)
Reeni says
November 18, 2010 at 5:46 pmI feel much the same way about cooking Faith! This is such a heartwarming, comforting meal! And the sirloin steak is totally mouth-watering!
Nicole, RD says
November 18, 2010 at 6:24 pmI’m not a big beef eater/lover, but that looks fabulous, Faith! I made your tortilla soup, posting about it tomorrow…yummm :)
5 Star Foodie says
November 18, 2010 at 8:07 pmWith the exception of recent “blues” where I couldn’t really cook anything decent for a while, I really enjoy cooking and back into it now full time :) The braised beef sounds wonderful, I like the addition of tamari sauce.
tasteofbeirut says
November 18, 2010 at 10:05 pmI think that if I was served this braised beef with veggies by one of my kids I would be in heaven! Looks so great and delicious and totally the comfort food par exellence!
Anh says
November 18, 2010 at 10:27 pmdelicious! A stew like this is very welcomed in my family
Monet says
November 18, 2010 at 10:40 pmI agree! Cooking is one of my main “chores” but I love doing it! Ryan is gracious and takes on other responsibilities in the house, so I get to do what I enjoy the most! This beef and vegetable dish sounds delicious. Fragrant and Tender! Thank you for sharing, dear. I hope you have a wonderful Friday!
sophia says
November 19, 2010 at 1:00 amI’d say MIKE is the lucky one, because he gets to eat all your cooking. I’ll bet even your eggs taste awesome! ;-)
Diane says
November 19, 2010 at 1:00 amThis looks excellent for a chilly evening. Yum yum. Diane
marla {family fresh cooking} says
November 19, 2010 at 6:46 amMy family would love this stew. It is a wonderful thing when meals can cook themselves with hardly any attention required. With something like this you can also have the luxury of quite a bit of leftovers too! xo
Mimi says
November 19, 2010 at 10:35 amI need to get that crock pot out. Nothing better than coming home to find a delicious dinner waiting.
Mimi
Veronica says
November 19, 2010 at 6:52 pmMy husband and I are the same. I cook and he does most of the cleaning. I’m not so good with the cleaning, just the dirtying! hahahaha. This looks amazing–I bet the meat gets soooo tender.
Erica says
November 20, 2010 at 3:13 pmThis looks rich and comforting….I would love a plate right now with white plain rice on the side and avocado!Delicious!
FOODESSA says
November 20, 2010 at 6:42 pmMy time in the kitchen is never a chore until I find myself drained of energy and then, I do define it as a chore ;o)
I love this recipe Faith…so comforting and great for my one day slow cooker that will grace my counter ;)
Flavourful wishes,
Claudia
Magic of Spice says
November 20, 2010 at 11:58 pmThe only part of cooking I consider a chore, is the dishes :)
Such a lovely recipe and I like that it can be done in a crockpot as well.
The guys would love this :)
Susan: My Food Obsession says
November 23, 2010 at 12:55 amI love cooking stews in the oven, this one looks fabulous! I always enjoy cooking too and rarely see it as a chore :)