Ingredients:
- 2 lbs stewing beef, cut into cubes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 onions, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 stalks celery, sliced
- 1 lb potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup Guinness beer (or other stout)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Directions:
Prepare Beef:
- Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches until evenly browned on all sides. Remove the beef and set aside.
Cook Vegetables:
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the pot. Add the onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, carrots, and celery, and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Combine Ingredients:
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes. Gradually stir in the beef broth and Guinness beer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and bay leaf.
Simmer Stew:
- Return the browned beef to the pot. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together, stirring occasionally.
Add Potatoes:
- Add the potatoes to the stew and continue to simmer, uncovered, for an additional 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through and the stew has thickened to your desired consistency.
Serve:
- Remove the bay leaf before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 2.5 hours | Total Time: 3 hours
- Kcal: 450 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
FAQs:
- What are some traditional Irish comfort foods? Traditional Irish comfort foods include dishes like Irish stew, made with lamb or beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions; colcannon, a mashed potato dish with cabbage or kale; Dublin coddle, a sausage and potato stew; and boxty, a type of potato pancake.
- How do you make Irish stew? To make Irish stew, start by browning cubes of lamb or beef in a pot. Add onions and garlic, then cover with beef broth or water. Simmer until the meat is tender. Add potatoes, carrots, and any other desired vegetables. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs like thyme or rosemary. Simmer until the vegetables are cooked through and the flavors meld together.
- What is colcannon and how is it made? Colcannon is a traditional Irish dish made with mashed potatoes, cabbage or kale, butter, and sometimes scallions or leeks. To make colcannon, boil potatoes until tender, then mash them with butter and milk. Cook shredded cabbage or kale separately, then mix it into the mashed potatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- What makes Irish comfort food hearty and comforting? Irish comfort food is hearty and comforting due to its use of simple, wholesome ingredients like potatoes, root vegetables, and meats. These dishes are often slow-cooked or stewed, allowing flavors to develop and resulting in meals that warm both the body and soul.
- Can I adapt Irish comfort food recipes to suit dietary preferences? Yes, many Irish comfort food recipes can be adapted to suit dietary preferences. For example, you can use vegetarian broth or omit meat in dishes like colcannon or boxty. Substitute dairy-free alternatives for butter and milk in mashed potatoes. Experiment with gluten-free flours for potato pancakes like boxty. These adaptations allow everyone to enjoy the comforting flavors of Irish cuisine.
