This rich and satisfying Irish stew is terrific served with Colcannon.
Ingredients
For the slow-cooked beef in guinness
- 1.2kg beef casserole steak — trimmed
- ⅓ cup flour
- Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil
- 4 rashers bacon — cut into 2cm pieces
- 2 ribs celery — finely sliced
- 3 cloves garlic — finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup Guinness
- 2 cups beef stock
- ½ cup chopped pitted prunes
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 300g small shallots — peeled
- 4 carrots — peeled and cut into chunks
- 2 tablespoons cornflour
- ¼ cup water
Method
For the slow-cooked beef in guinness
- Preheat the oven to 160°C (140°C fan bake) or set the slow cooker to low.
- Cut the beef into 3cm chunks.
- Combine the flour, salt and pepper on a plate. Lightly dust the beef in the seasoned flour and shake off any excess. Set aside any leftover seasoned flour.
- Working in batches so as not to overcrowd the pan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a pan and brown the beef on all sides. Transfer to a casserole dish or the slow cooker as you go.
- Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in the pan. Add the bacon, celery and garlic and cook, stirring, for 3–4 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste and the leftover seasoned flour. Stir for 1 minute.
- Stir in the Guinness, stock, prunes and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, then pour over the beef.
- Melt the butter in a large pan over a low heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring, for 3–4 minutes. Add the shallots and carrots to the beef.
- Cover and cook in the oven for 2½ hours or in the slow cooker for 6 hours.
- If thickening is required, mix the cornflour and water to make a slurry. Add to the beef and cook until thickened to your liking.