Low Carb Hearty Beef Stew... with Radishes!

Yes... radishes! I used them instead of potatoes. It works!

From this...

...to this:

See those round white balls that look like new potatoes? Those are the radishes, cooked. No, I didn't peel them. You don't have to! Just trim the ends, clean them, halve the bigger ones, and toss them in. As they cook they lose their color and their 'bite' and become tender and mild. The texture is not as starchy as potatoes, but it's close enough! I think they would be great steamed and tossed with butter and parsley.

Here's the recipe, which is easy, low carb, gluten free, and Medifast-friendly. I thought it was a little too soupy so am leaving out the cup of water that I added. If you like soupy, add a cup of water!

Low Carb Beef Stew with Radishes

1.5 pounds raw beef stew meat (once cooked, mine weighed 15 ounces)
2 cups beef broth (be sure and check that this is gluten free if you are!)
1.5 c canned diced tomatoes (about one 14-ounce can) with juices
1/4 cup diced onions
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp marjoram
1/2 tsp thyme
1 Tbsp dried parsley
salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste
Your choice of the following low carb veggies, totaling 3.5 cups raw:
trimmed radishes (I used one cup but would have liked more!)
celery
cubed cauliflower
mushrooms
green beans
diced cabbage
carrots, if they are on your plan (*not* okay for Medifast)

Brown the beef cubes in a nonstick pan. Throw everything in the crock pot and give it a stir. Cover and cook on low all day, 6-8 hours or so. Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning. This makes about 3 BIG servings... or 6 smaller bowls.

If you are on Medifast, 1/3 of this recipe provides your entire Lean & Green plus 3 condiments.

For more info on subbing radishes for potatoes, here's another post I did about about cooking radishes as hash browns or home fries. Good stuff!

Hope you enjoy seeing radishes in a new light!