We’re having spring (see below).
Some of you (rumor has it) are still enjoying winter.
Whatever….
This is a great stew for the end of winter and a classic for St. Patrick’s Day – in the U.S.
We lived in Ireland for a year and St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated by going to church, if at all. There were no parades or parties or rivers of green beer.
I’m told that in more recent years the Irish in Ireland are celebrating the day in much the same way as the Irish in the U.S.
Somehow, I think they enjoy their Guinness without the addition of green dye.
But they are willing to put a bit in the stew. Slow braising makes this beef very tender and the beer adds a robust flavor.
Serve with ‘Jacket Potatoes’: potatoes baked in their skin and a staple in Ireland…. And a pint of Guinness on the side. This serve 4.
Beef Braised in Guinness
Total time: 80 minutes
Ingredients:
- 24oz (720gr) beef suitable for stewing or braising
- 1 large or 2 medium onions
- 2 cloves garlic
- 5 – 6 medium carrots
- 3 bay (laurel) leaves
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 cups (16oz, 480ml) Guinness
- 1 cup (8oz, 240ml) beef stock
- 1 tbs oil
- 4 tbs cornstarch (maizena, corn flour)
- 1 tbs paprika
Instructions:
- Cut beef into 1″ (2.5 cm) cubes.
- Cut onion into quarters, then slice thinly.
- Mince or press garlic.
- Cut carrots in half the long way, then into 1″ (2.5cm) pieces.
- Combine paprika and cornstarch in a plastic food bag.
- Add beef and toss to coat evenly.
- In a heavy saucepan or Dutch oven, large enough to hold everything easily, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add beef and brown on all sides.
- Add garlic and sauté 1 minute more.
- Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer at least an hour. If it starts to dry out, add more Guinness or beef stock.
- If you would like the sauce thicker, dissolve 1 tbs cornstarch in 2 tbs water and stir in as much as you need – a little at a time, cooking and checking, or it will get too thick.
- When ready to eat, remove bay leaves and serve.
Did I say spring?
The other day mon mari came running down the stairs, shouting ‘can’t you hear them?!?!?’
I was, of course, sitting at my computer, totally engrossed in something, listening to the radio and ignoring the world.
I paused and listened.
How could I have not heard that!
The ‘grue’ (cranes) were migrating. One can hear them for miles. And when there are hundreds migrating, as they seem to do, it can get very loud.
They fly in a V, like geese. Looking up it was as if waves of birds were flowing overhead, all chattering to each other. Huge V’s, taking up the width of the sky, one after the other flew over.
It was fascinating to watch: The birds at the ends of the V barely flapped their wings, once every few seconds if at all. The birds in the lead flapped constantly for a few minutes, then a group from the middle moved forward to take the lead and the ones in front dropped back. It would look chaotic for a few seconds, then the V would form, hold for a few minutes, then shift again.
We watched for about 10 minutes.
Another sign of spring – my hyacinths are starting to bloom. The dogs have managed to patrol the fence line with out trampling them.
On the road you can see the last of our mini-flood. It hasn’t rained for over a week, but the ground is so saturated, that the water has flown down the hill and collected at this spot on the road. Up until yesterday, the water went over the road and into our front lawn and driveway. Once I saw it was finally stopping I took the scissors to both dogs, cutting off all the dried, mud-caked fur on their bellies, legs and paws. Then they rolled about on the grass a bit.
Definitely spring.
I love your flowers! We’re supposed to get four to six inches of snow on Wednesday. I have nothing else to say…
It is hot here, humid too but I am not in a rush for it to end !!!
Well now I really am jealous. They’ve changed the forecast to 6 to 8 inches with up to 2 inches an hour tomorrow morning! I need to find someplace warm to live.
My calla lilies are in full bloom and my flowering crab is covered in flowers and bees. Definitely spring. I’m going to try your stew for St. Paddy’s Day this year. Nice change from corned beef.
Beautiful post….how lucky for you to have witnessed the migration. At least it’s a sign of good times ahead, even though tomorrow winter is going to remind us, not so fast….
nightsmusic, I love spring flowers… better than summer flowers 😉 Enjoy your snow (snigger…)
Kate, I’m never in a rush for summer to end – except for the work LOL
Zoomie, the flowers of spring always smell so wonderful, don’t they?
Minnie, it was spectacular – and loud LOL