Happy Stew Year

so, maybe something like Julie Powell, but I'm not in it for the book deal. I'm probably going to skip weeks since I'm in school and I work full time as well as play wifey and doggie mommy. Also, just for the record, I may modify and combine recipes, but none of these recipes are going to be original, and most likely NOT by Julia Child.

I started the year with Beef and Guinness Stew.

It's always my favorite in restaurants. I've read a bunch of versions of the recipes and tried more than a few of them, so here's mine, taking a tip from this one and a tip from that one...the Prunes really help it out if you use the bottled Guinness, and are just a nice addition if you use the draught.

So here's the recipe!

BEEF & GUINNESS STEW
This is a hybrid of several recipes I've found. I've tested a few, this is the outcome. I've never made it in a casserole or crock pot but

I'm sure it will work fine. a crock pot will take longer I think, just keep an eye on it, stirring often so it doesn't burn to the bottom.
*a note about Guinness: Every recipe I've seen demands Guinness in the original brown glass bottles.

Most people now prefer to drink it in a draft can or bottle. It's ok to use the draft (leaving a nice treat for you and guests with the extra),  but the flavor is lighter. To use, poor it slowly into the measuring cup to minimize nitrogenation, and allow to stand and go "flat"  while you prepare the other ingredients. Remove as much of the foam as you can with a spoon)
Yield: 6-8 servings
2 lb lean stewing beef

Olive oil, about a glug every two batches of meat

3 tablespoons flour plus maybe another tablespoon if the stew isn't thickening

salt to taste

freshly ground pepper to taste

a pinch of cayenne

2 large onions, coarsely chopped (chop about 1/4 of one onion finer to dissolve and thicken the soup)

1-2 large cloves garlic, crushed

2 tablespoons tomato puree, dissolved in 4 tablespoons water (used about 6-8 tablespoons crushed tomato instead, was great)

1 1/4 cups Guinness

2 cups carrots, cut into chunks

sprig of thyme

3 bay leaves

2-4 prunes, finely teensy chopped

Directions:
Trim the meat of any fat or gristle, cut into cubes of 1-2 inches (5cm) and dry the cubes completely on a paper towel.
Heat a glug of oil in a dutch oven or wide frying pan over a high heat.
Brown the meat on all sides. don't overcrowd the meat, brown it in batches and put aside in a bowl until all meat is browned.

Season the flour with salt, freshly ground pepper and a pinch of cayenne. Toss the meat in the mixture. If you are using a frying pan, put the browned and coated meat in the casserole or crock pot to keep.
Add onions, tomato and crushed garlic to dutch oven or frying pan.
cook gently for about 5 minutes, or until onions go a little soft and transparent, stirring occasionally.
pour some of the Guinness into the frying pan or dutch oven.

Raise the heat on the pan and stir fairly briskly while scraping the sides and bottom to dissolve the caramelized meat juices on the pan (deglaze the pan).

When using the dutch oven, stir in meat with the remaining Guinness;

When using the frying pan, pour in the rest of the guiness and stir it all together, then pour this mixture over the meat in the crock pot or casserole dish.
add the carrots and the thyme. Stir, taste, and add a little more salt if necessary. Add bay leaves.
At midpoint or so add prunes.(don't worry they completely dissolve)

Cover with the lid and simmer very gently until the meat is tender - 2 to 3 hours.

The stew may be cooked on top of the stove or in a low oven at 300 degrees F (the high setting on a crock pot).
If gravy isn't thickening after 2 hours, add 1 tablespoon flour and stir briskly for a minute.
Taste and correct the seasoning. Serve over a bed of Mashed potatos, or with mash on the side.
also great in ramekins or soup crocks with a biscuit baked on top.
tip for Mashed potatos:
Don't cut your potatos too small. find your smallest potato and cut the rest to about the same size.
might take an extra 5-10 minutes to cook (about 25-30 minutes total), but it's relatively foolproof.