Guinness Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 bottle Guinness beer
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch slices
• 4 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Set a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and warm the olive oil. Add the beef cubes, then cook them, turning as needed, until the pieces are browned all over, about 10 minutes. Transfer the beef out of the pot and keep it nearby.
3. In the same pan, add the onions, garlic, carrots, potatoes, parsley, bay leaves, thyme, salt and pepper. Cook the mixture until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
4. Sprinkle in the flour, add the tomato paste, and stir until both are worked through the vegetables. Pour in the beef broth and Guinness beer gradually, stirring the whole time, until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined. Bring it up to a boil, then turn the heat to low and let it simmer for 15 minutes, until the sauce thickens a bit.
5. Return the beef cubes to the pan and fold them into the vegetables and sauce. Cover the pot with a lid or aluminum foil, then move it to the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour, until the beef is tender. Serve hot with crusty bread or mashed potatoes if desired.