Guinness Beef Stew

This stew is deliciously rich and hearty and the Guinness adds an extra depth of flavor that is mouth watering!  This can be made in a slow cooker or heavy cast iron pot.  Serve with crusty bread for a stick to your ribs meal :)

credit: http://www.flickr.com/x/t/0091009/photos/39718079@N00/4107052501/

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs stew beef
• 1/4 cup flour, seasoned with salt & pepper
• 1 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1 1/2 cup water
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 lbs potatoes, diced (peel if desired)
• 2 parsnips, sliced
• 1 (16 oz) bag baby carrots
• 1 tbl brown sugar
• 1 bottle Guinness beer
• dash of worceshire sauce
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• salt & pepper

1.  In a large skillet (or heavy cast iron pot if that is what you are using for cooking the stew), heat 2 - 3 tablespoons of oil.  Coat beef with seasoned flour and place into pot to brown.  You are not cooking the beef here, simply adding a nice brown crust.
2. Add in the garlic, onion, parsnips and baby carrots and stir cooking slightly until onion and garlic are soft.  
3. De glaze the pan 1 1/2 cups of water making sure to scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.  If you are cooking in a slow cooker now is when you would transfer the ingredients to the slow cooker pot.
4. Add in the brown sugar, beef broth, beer, dash of worceshire, thyme, chocolate and bay leaves and allow to simmer on low for at least 6 hours or slow cook on high for 4 - 5 hours or low for 6 - 8.  Season with salt and pepper if needed and serve!

Lucy~