Let’s make Irish stew

Posted on by laurenarva

A few evenings ago, Blaine and I ventured out of our humble abode to go for dinner together. It is something we don’t do nearly as often as we should, but we try our best.

Conversation with Blaine is rarely boring, and somehow, we ended up on the topic of Ireland and what sorts of food the Irish are known for. I looked it up on Google and learned that Irish stew is considered by many to be the national dish of Ireland, and so I thought I would dedicate a post to an authentic Irish stew recipe. This one comes from recipetineats.com.

“Irish Beef and Guinness Stew

“Ingredients

  • 3 sprigs thyme (or sub with 1 tsp dried thyme leaves)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2.5 lb / 1.25 kg beef chuck , boneless short rib or any other slow cooking beef (no bone)
  • 3/4 tsp each salt and black pepper
  • 3 garlic cloves , minced
  • 2 onions , chopped (brown, white or yellow)
  • 6 oz / 180g bacon , speck or pancetta, diced
  • 3 tbsp flour (all purpose/plain, Note 3 for GF)
  • 440ml / 14.9 oz Guinness Beer (Note 1)
  • 4 tbsp tomato paste
  • 3 cups (750 ml) chicken stock/broth (or beef broth – Note 4)
  • 3 carrots , peeled and cut into 1.25 cm / 1/2″ thick pieces
  • 2 large celery stalks , cut into 2cm / 1″ pieces
  • 2 bay leaves

“Instructions

  1. Cut the beef into 5cm/2″ chunks. Pat dry then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  2. 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.
  3. Lower heat to medium. If the pot is looking dry, add oil.
  4. Cook garlic and onion for 3 minutes until softening, then add bacon.
  5. Cook until bacon is browned, then stir through carrot and celery. 
  6. Add flour, and stir for 1 minute to cook off the flour.
  7. Add Guinness, chicken broth/stock and tomato paste. Mix well (to ensure flour dissolves well), add bay leaves and thyme. 
  8. Return beef into the pot (including any juices). Liquid level should just cover – see video or photos.
  9. 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.
  10. Skim off fat on surface, if desired. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Remove bay leaves and thyme.
  11. Serve with creamy mashed potatoes!!” the recipe states.

Here’s sincerely hoping this recipe is approved by the Irish.

Photo by nilufar nattaq on Unsplash

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