Belgian Style Seitan Stew With Dark Beer Recipes

BELGIAN-STYLE SEITAN STEW WITH DARK BEER

Steps:

• Heat 1 Tbsp of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seitan and cook until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes, Set aside.
• Heat remaining 2 Tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, cover, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the brown sugar and cook, uncovered, and stirring frequently, until the onion is caramelized, about 10 minutes. Add the flour, and cook, stirring for 1 or 2 minutes to remove the raw taste.
• Stir in the beer, molases, mustard, vinegar, thyme and bay leaf. Add the stock, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add the seitan and simmer until the flavors are blended, about 10 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaf and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper.
• Serve hot and enjoy.

STOOFVLEES (FLEMISH BEEF STEW)

Steps:

• Peel and roughly dice the onions.
• Melt a knob of butter and about 1 tbsp of oil in a large (preferably cast-iron) casserole over medium heat. Sauté the onions until soft and just starting to brown. Remove from the casserole and put into a large container.
• Add 1 to 2 more tbsp of oil to the casserole. Season the beef and add the meat to the casserole. Brown the beef cubes over medium heat in batches. (About 7 to 8 pieces of meat per batch should do the trick.) Once browned, add each batch to the onions.
• Add the Loonse stroop/syrup and beer to the casserole and turn up the heat. Bring to a boil and scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the casserole.
• Once the stewing liquid comes to a boil, add the onion and beef cubes back to the casserole, along with the cloves and bouquet garni. Give the stew-to-be a good stir and bring to a simmer.
• Next, spread 1 tbsp of mustard on each slice of bread and place both slices (mustard side down) on top of the stew. (They'll disintegrate completely, adding flavour to the stew and thickening the sauce.)
• Let the stew simmer (uncovered!) for 1.5 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. Then pop a lid on and simmer for another 15 minutes. This adds a touch more moisture back to the casserole, which the dish will need. Remove from the heat.
• Remove the bouquet garni (and cloves, if you can find them). Add the tablespoon of vinegar, and give your stoofvlees a good stir.
• Now comes the most difficult part. Leave it alone for at least 12 hours (with the lid on). The flavours will build up even more. It can be eaten straight away as well, but it will always taste better the day after.