Hearty Paleo Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil (or olive oil)
• 1 large brown onion (diced)
• 1 small red chill (diced finely)
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 kg / 2 lbs. beef scotch fillet (or rump steak, diced into 2-cm cubes (see notes))
• 1/2 cup red wine (or white)
• 1 tablespoon coconut aminos (or Tamari gluten-free soy sauce)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
• 1/2 cup dried porcini mushrooms (optional but delicious)
• 2 large garlic cloves (diced)
• 2/3 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 30 ml dry sherry (optional (that’s about 1 shot glass; dry port can also be used))
• 3-4 fresh thyme sprigs (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
• 1/4 teaspoons fennel seeds
• 1 fresh rosemary sprig (or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary)
• 1 star anise
• 1 litre beef stock (or bone broth, 4 cups)
• 2 medium carrots (peeled and sliced)
• 2 sticks celery (peeled and sliced)
• 1 medium sweet potato (peeled and diced)
• 5-6 button mushrooms (fresh, sliced)
• 1.5 tablespoons tapioca flour (or arrowroot flour to thicken the stew)
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream (OR 1 tablespoon of butter (optional))