ARmyofChefs get to a hearty start

A wonderful way to start this cooking adventure is with a meal with Thorin Oakenshield.

Be bold and answer the door.

Beef and Guinness Stew
(meat + alcohol – what more could a dwarf want!?)

 

2Tbl plain flour

800g beef blade or stewing steak cut into 3 cm pieces

olive oil

2 celery stalks chopped

1 onion chopped

2 carrots chopped

200g swiss brown mushrooms chopped

2 Tbl tomato paste

1 ½ cups Guinness

2 cups beef stock

2 bay leaves

parsley to serve

*I also add a sm Tbl of Vegemite, but I know not everyone is a fan!

Place flour in a bowl and season. Add beef and toss to coat.

Heat a good splash of oil in a saucepan and cook beef in batches until browned. Transfer to a plate.

Add vegetables (you may need a little more oil) and saute until tender (about 5 mins). Add tomato paste (and Vegemite if using) and stir in well.

Gradually stir in Guinness and stock. Add bay leaves, meat and juices from plate. Bring to the boil then cover and reduce to a slow simmer for 1 to 1 ½ hours. Remove lid and simmer for a further 30 mins.

Remove bay leaves and serve sprinkled with parsley. I serve with mashed potato or crusty bread.

Note: Can be done in a casserole dish in oven for 1 ½ to 2 hours or can also be done in a slow cooker – brown meat then put all ingredients into cooker (reduce the Guinness to 1 cup and the stock to ¾ cup). Cook for 6-8 hours on low.

A perfect, hearty meal before an Unexpected Journey 🙂

Recipe and photographs submitted by the lovely @lady0akenshield, who opened the door to Thorin on Boxing Day and hasn’t stopped loving this journey.

Cheers & Guinness,
ARmyofChefs