Beef Stew

It is cold, so that makes it soup and stew time.  I wanted to make some Guinness beef stew, but there was no Guinness to be found!  That's what I get for shopping  in Daleville.  But I didn't want to drive all the way in to Roanoke, so I decided to use some red wine in lieu of the dark beer.  It turned out marvelous, so I didn't miss the beer, but I still want to make it with stout beer and see if there is a difference.  Next time.

Beef Stew

4 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
2 /12 pounds chuck or top sirloin.  I used a London Broil.
1 teaspoon salt or to taste
pepper to taste
2 medium or one large onion chopped
4 cloves garlic minced, I used  a jar of minced garlic
1 can dark beer or 1 cup red wine  If you have both, drink one and use the other.
2 Tablespoons tomato paste
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon thyme
2 bay leaves
1 cup chopped carrots
2 stalks celery, sliced
3 cups beef broth
2 cups diced red potatoes
1/2 cup frozen peas

 

Trim the beef of fat and any gross bits.  

 

Cook the bacon in a Dutch oven until brown and crisp.  Remove from the pan and add the beef in batches.  Never cook more than a single layer.  Remove each batch when done and place on a clean plate.  Season the beef while cooking.

 

Cook the onions in the drippings from the bacon and the beef.  When they are softened add the garlic and cook for two more minutes.  Add the tomato paste.

 

Return all the beef and the bacon to the Dutch oven and pour in the wine.  Scrape up all the browned bits on the bottom of the pan and reduce the wine (or beer) to half.  Add the beef stock, Worcestershire sauce,  carrots and celery,  Make sure everything is covered in broth.  Add the thyme and bay leaves and bring to a boil.   Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for one hour, stirring occasionally.

 

Add the diced red potatoes.  I peel the bad spots, but keep the peeling on for the most part.  Bring up to a boil, reduce to a simmer and  cook for 1 hour. 

 

Add the peas bring the heat to medium and cook for 20 minutes.  Leave the lid off so the liquid can reduce.  Remove the bay leaves.

 

Serve warm in a bowl.  Soda bread goes great with stew.

It was REALLY good.  Scrape the bowl good.