GUINNESS BEEF STEW SLOW COOKER RECIPES

Steps:

• Cook the onions, thyme and garlic with a little olive oil in a large casserole until the onion is softened and translucent. Dust the braising steak in the seasoned flour and brown in a hot pan with a little oil.
• When the beef has a good, even colour, add it to the pan with the onions and pour in the Guinness. Top up with the stock to just cover the beef.
• Cover and simmer over a very low heat or transfer to a 150C/fan 130C/gas 3 oven for 2-3 hours until the beef is meltingly tender (check after 2 hours). Season and serve with mash.
• TO MAKE IN A SLOW COOKER . . . Toss the braising steak in the seasoned flour. Heat a little oil in a large non-stick frying pan and fry the beef in batches until it has a good colour on all sides. Transfer to the slow cooker when browned. Add the Guinness to the pan and let it bubble up. Scrape any caramelised bits off the bottom of the pan then pour the whole lot on top of the beef. Add the rest of the ingredients EXCEPT the beef stock (you won't need it as this will make the finished dish too liquid). Give everything a stir then cook on low for 6 hours until the meat is tender.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the beef and 2 tablespoons flour. Season generously with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Set aside.
• Using the sauté setting, heat the oil in the pot. Add the garlic, dried shiitakes (if using), tomato paste, brown sugar, cocoa, onion powder, caraway seeds and espresso powder. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is fragrant and evenly combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the remaining 1/3 cup flour and cook, stirring and scraping constantly, until the mixture forms a thick, dry paste, about 1 minute.
• Add the beer and broth and bring to a boil, whisking constantly to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let boil until noticeably thickened, about 1 minute. Add the beef and thyme and stir to combine. Cover and set steam valve to sealed position. Cook on high pressure for 22 minutes.
• Let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then release the remaining pressure manually. (If you find that too much liquid is spurting out with the steam, close the knob to seal again, wait a minute, and then turn the knob to release the rest of the pressure.) Open and stir in the potatoes and root vegetables. Set steam valve to sealed position and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then release the remaining pressure manually.
• Open the lid. If the beef and vegetables are not tender, pressure cook on high for 3 more minutes and manually release the pressure. Add the vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice. Taste and season with more salt, pepper and lemon juice if necessary. (If the stew tastes flat, add more lemon juice first, then more salt and pepper; acid is key to making it taste lively. It may need a surprising amount of salt, especially if you have used unsalted or low-salt stock.)
• Discard the thyme sprigs and skim the fat from the top using a ladle or by passing a clean paper towel just over the surface of the stew. (If you would like the stew to be thicker, transfer the beef and vegetables with a slotted spoon to a bowl or plate. Using the sauté setting, let boil until it is the desired consistency. Add the beef and vegetables back into the pot.)
• Make the horseradish cream: Stir together the sour cream, horseradish and scallions in a small bowl. Season with salt. Serve stew in bowls with a spoonful of the horseradish cream.