Part 3/6:
Rachel then pivots to creating the base for her stew. She adds two tablespoons of bacon grease to the skillet—a favorite ingredient of hers—and waits for it to melt. Once sizzling, she tosses in a medium-large chopped onion and allows it to soften, releasing a sweet aroma before adding minced garlic.
After the garlic has warmed through, Rachel introduces chopped celery and sliced mushrooms. The mushrooms are cooked until tender, releasing their moisture and melding with the other ingredients. Once this base is ready, Rachel stirs in tomato paste to deepen the flavor before adding flour to thicken the stew.