Ingredients
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- 2 pounds lean stewing beef
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
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- 2 onions, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste, dissolved in 4 tablespoons water
- 1 1/4 bottles Guinness
- 3/4 cup carrots, cut into chunks
- 1 sprig thyme
- Parsley, chopped finely to garnish
Directions
Trim the meat of any fat or gristle, cut into 2-inch cubes and toss them in a bowl with 1-tablespoon oil.Season the flour with salt, freshly ground pepper and a pinch or two of cayenne. Toss the meat in this mixture.
Heat the remaining oil or dripping in a wide skillet on high heat. Brown the meat on all sides. Add the onions, crushed garlic and tomato paste to the pan, cover, and cook gently for about 5 minutes.
Transfer the contents of the pan to a casserole, and pour some of the Guinness into the skillet. Bring to a boil and stir to dissolve the caramelized meat juices on the pan.
Pour onto the meat in the casserole with the remaining Guinness; add the carrots and the thyme. Stir, taste, and add a little more salt if necessary.
Cover with the lid of the casserole and simmer very gently until the meat is tender— 2-3 hours. The stew may be cooked on top of the stove or in a low oven at 300ºF. Taste and correct the seasoning. Scatter with lots of chopped parsley and serve with champ, colcannon or plain boiled potatoes.