Drunken Irish Stew Recipes

BEEF AND GUINNESS STEW

Steps:

• Cut the beef into 5cm/2" chunks. Pat dry then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in a heavy based pot over high heat. Add beef in batches and brown well all over. Remove onto plate. Repeat with remaining beef.
• Lower heat to medium. If the pot is looking dry, add oil.
• Cook garlic and onion for 3 minutes until softening, then add bacon.
• Cook until bacon is browned, then stir through carrot and celery.
• Add flour, and stir for 1 minute to cook off the flour.
• Add Guinness, chicken broth/stock and tomato paste. Mix well (to ensure flour dissolves well), add bay leaves and thyme.
• Return beef into the pot (including any juices). Liquid level should just cover - see video or photos.
• Cover, lower heat so it is bubbling gently. Cook for 2 hours - the beef should be pretty tender by now. Remove lid then simmer for a further 30 - 45 minutes or until the beef falls apart at a touch, the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly.
• Skim off fat on surface, if desired. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Remove bay leaves and thyme.
• Serve with creamy mashed potatoes!!

DRUNKEN IRISH STEW

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in large heavy pot over medium high heat.
• Add stew meat and saute for about 6 minutes or until brown on all sides. Add garlic cloves and saute until fragrant, or about one minute.
• Add beef broth/stock, red wine, Guinness, tomato paste, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves.
• Stir to combine and bring mixture to a boil.
• Once boiling, reduce heat to low.
• Cover and simmer for 1 hour.
• Stir occasionally.
• Meanwhile, in another large pot, melt butter over medium heat until slightly foaming.
• Add potatoes, celery, onion, and carrots and saute for about 15 minutes, or until golden.
• Set aside until stew has simmered for 1 hour.
• Add vegetables to beef stew and simmer uncovered until vegetables and beef are tender, about 40 minutes.
• After that time, mix 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 Tablespoon of cold water until combined.
• Slowly add to the stew, stirring for about 1 minute until thickened.
• Discard bay leaves and remove any fat that has accumulated on top. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve with a nice crusty bread and enjoy!

CLASSIC IRISH STEW

Steps:

• Make the stock. Put the lamb bones in a large heavy-based saucepan with the carrot, onion, celery, herbs, peppercorns and 1 tsp salt. Pour in 3 litres/5 ¼ pints water. Bring to the boil and simmer uncovered for 2 hours.
• Strain the stock through a fine sieve to remove bones and vegetables, then return to the pan. Boil until reduced to about 1.3 litres/2 ¼ pints. (You can make the stock the day before - keep it in a covered container in the fridge, or freeze it for up to 3 months.)
• Make the stew. Cut the lamb into large chunks. Peel the potatoes (keeping both types separate) and cut into pieces of similar size to the meat. Put the two different types in separate bowls of water to keep them white. Peel the carrots and cut into slightly smaller pieces. Slice the onions into thick rings.
• Put the lamb in a large, clean saucepan. Pour in the stock and bring to the boil, skimming off all the impurities from the surface. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for 10 minutes.
• Add the floury potatoes, carrots and onions. Season generously and simmer for a further 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the waxy potatoes and thyme. Simmer until the lamb is tender (15-20 minutes). Take off the heat, cover (don't stir) and leave for 15 minutes. (You can make this up to 2 days ahead and keep in the fridge). Garnish and serve.