Beef and Stout Stew

So this is my version of a beef stew with an Irish twist.  And what is the Irish twist you ask? Well beer of course! (Stout to be exact).  Not very original? Well that may be so, but this stew is delicious and makes a large portion so you can cook on Monday and eat for the whole week! (or just feed a ridiculously large Irish family.... see I told you this was Irish themed!).  The ingredients are:

10 Tbsp. olive oil
about 1/2 cup flour
salt and pepper
3.5 lbs beef, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 sack fingerling potatoes
1 medium-large onion
3 cloves of garlic
1 16oz package of frozen peas and pearl onions
2 cans/bottles stout
1 cup beef broth

Start by cutting up the beef into 1 inch cubes.  Then put some flour in a dish or pan and dredge the beef so it's lightly coated with flour.  Heat the olive oil (in batches, since you will brown the beef in batches) in a pan on medium-high heat.  Brown the beef in batches (so it's not overcrowded in the pan).  Make sure you lightly flour each batch before browning (this adds yummy flavor and helps to thicken the stew!).  Empty each batch of browned beef into the insert of a slow cooker or a large pot.  Once all the beef has been browned, saute the onion, garlic, and frozen peas/pearl onions in the same pan (you may need to add more oil).  Once those have softened (after about 4-5 minutes) empty into slow cooker or pot with the beef.  Wash the fingerling potatoes and cut any that are large in half, and add to the slow cooker or pot.  Season contents of slow cooker/pot with salt and pepper.  Add 2 bottles of stout (really any beer will do!) and 1 cup of beef broth, and cover.  If using a slow cooker, cook on Low for about 6.5 hours, or High for 4.  If cooking in a pot, leave it on medium heat (so that it simmers) for 2.5-3 hours, or until beef is tender.  Check back frequently to see if the stew needs more liquid.  If so, you can just add water or more beef broth if you like.  Once done cooking, spoon into deep dishes, and serve along with some crusty bread and stout! It's a great stew that takes a little bit of prep time, but really makes alot of food that can serve a large dinner party or you and your significant other for a few days of delicious meals! Sometimes I put leftover stew into freezer-safe tupperware and freeze for up to 6 months.  This way you have some yummy meals ready for you on those crazy busy days you don't have time to cook.  Just take out of the freezer and put in the microwave on high until ready!  I hope you enjoy this recipe!