Beef Stew With Ale Recipes

BEEF & ALE STEW

Steps:

• If using the oven to cook the stew, preheat it to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4.
• Put a large shallow ovenproof casserole pan on a medium heat with 2 tablespoons of oil.
• Trim the celery, wash the carrots, peel the onions, then roughly chop it all about the same size as your beef chunks, adding the veg to the pan as you go.
• Season the veg with sea salt and black pepper, and fry for 10 minutes, or until softened and starting to caramelise, stirring occasionally.
• Strip in the rosemary leaves, stir in the flour for 2 minutes, then pour in the booze and let it cook away.
• Pour in the tomatoes, breaking them up with the back of the spoon. Fill the tin with water, swirl around, and pour into the pan.
• Bring just to the boil, then stir in the meat, season, and cover. Either simmer slowly on the hob or place in the oven for 2 hours, or until the meat falls apart easily.
• Taste the stew and tweak the seasoning, if needed, then serve with rice or mashed potato, and some lovely veggies, or check out the topping ideas below.

BEEF AND ALE STEW

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C or 150°C for fan ovens).
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil or butter over medium heat in a large lidded casserole that will go from the stove to the oven (or use a large frying pan for the stove top part and then transfer the mixture to a casserole before putting it in the oven).
• Gently fry the onion in the oil or melted butter, stirring often. Sprinkle with a bit of salt to prevent it browning to quickly. You just want the onion to soften.
• Add the remaining oil or butter to the pan and when it has melted in, add the cubed pieces of meat. Brown the meat gently, turning it so that the red colour disappears on all sides.
• Lower the heat and sprinkle the meat and onions with the flour.
• Stir in the flour and cook for a moment or two.
• Stir in the ale, followed by ¾ cup of the beef stock. Reserve the remaining ¼ cup of beef stock.
• Cook for a moment or two.
• If you are using a frying pan transfer the mixture very carefully to an oven safe casserole now. Be careful not to burn yourself.
• Stir in the carrots, along with a good grinding of pepper.
• Tuck the bay leaf in under the liquid, cover the casserole and put it in the oven. Set the timer for half an hour.
• When the timer goes off, carefully remove the casserole from the oven.
• Remove the lid and stir. There should be a good amount of liquid in the pan at this point. If not, add some of the remaining stock.
• Cover the casserole and return it to the oven for an hour.
• Remove the casserole from the oven once again.
• Remove the bay leaf, being careful not to burn yourself.
• Take a spoonful of the gravy and place it in a little bowl to cool.
• Meanwhile, check the thickness of the gravy. If it has not thickened up, mix a tablespoon of cornflour (corn starch) with 1 tablespoon of water and then stir it into the casserole. If it is too thick (this is unlikely but it does happen sometimes), add the remaining stock.
• Taste the spoonful of gravy you set aside earlier, being careful as it still may be hot. Add salt and pepper to the casserole to taste.
• Cover the casserole and return it to the oven for about fifteen minutes or up to half an hour.
• Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest with the lid on for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Serve the Beef and Ale Stew garnished with the parley.

HEARTY BEEF STEW WITH RED ONIONS AND ALE

Steps:

• Season the beef all over with salt and pepper. Set aside while you prepare the onions.
• Peel the onions. Cut 2 of them in half root to stem, then thinly slice them crosswise into half-moons. Cut the third onion, root to stem, into 1/2-inch wedges.
• Dust the beef cubes lightly with flour. Heat butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a large Dutch oven or other pot over medium-high. Add beef, in batches taking care not to crowd the pan, and sear until it's good and dark all over, 5 to 6 minutes per batch. Transfer beef cubes to a bowl as they brown. Add more oil and adjust heat if necessary to prevent burning.
• Stir in sliced onions and raise heat to medium-high if you lowered it. Cook until pale golden brown and soft, 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant and lightly golden at the edges, 2 to 3 minutes longer.
• Make a well in the center of the onions, then stir in tomato paste, coriander and allspice; cook, stirring until paste is darkened, 1 minute. Stir in stock, ale, 1 cup water and rosemary sprig. Return beef and any juices to the pot and bring to a simmer. Partly cover the pot and simmer gently for 45 minutes.
• Give the beef a stir, then add onion wedges. Simmer for 15 minutes, then stir in carrots and continue to simmer until the meat, onions and carrots are tender, 30 to 45 minutes longer.
• If the sauce seems thin, use a slotted spoon to transfer meat and vegetables to a platter; cover with foil to keep warm. Discard the rosemary. Return pot with liquid to stove and simmer until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in vinegar. Taste and add more salt and vinegar if you like. Spoon sauce over meat and garnish with chives, flaky sea salt and more black pepper.