Beef Guinness Stew

Although I don't like drinking Guinness, it makes a very yummy stew

INGREDIANTS

• 2 lbs boneless beef chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 T all-purpose flour

1 t McCormick Salt-free all-purpose seasoning

• 1/2 t black pepper
• 2 t olive oil
• 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
• 2 T minced garlic
• 3 T water
• 1 1/2 T tomato paste (preferably no salt added)
• 1 cup water or low sodium beef broth
• 1 cup Guinness or other Irish stout
• 1 T homemade Worcestershire sauce
• 2 t drained brined green peppercorns, coarsely chopped (rinse throughly to remove excess brine) or dried green peppercorns (rehydrate in water for approx 1 hour)
• 2 t dried thyme
• 
  

STOVE/OVEN DIRECTIONS

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.

Pat beef dry. Stir together flour, all-purpose seasoning, and pepper in a shallow dish. Add beef, turning to coat, then shake off excess and transfer to a plate. Heat oil in a wide 5- to 6-quart ovenproof heavy pot over moderately high heat until just smoking, then brown meat in 3 batches, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes per batch, transferring to a bowl.

Add onion, garlic, and 3 T water to pot and cook, scraping up any brown bits from bottom of pot and stirring frequently, until onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in beef with any juices accumulated in bowl, water/broth, beer, Worcestershire sauce, peppercorns, and thyme and bring to a simmer, then cover and transfer to oven. Braise until beef is very tender and sauce is thickened, about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.

CROCKPOT DIRECTIONS

Pat beef dry. Stir together flour, all-purpose seasoning, and pepper in a shallow dish. Add beef, turning to coat, then shake off excess and transfer to a plate. Heat oil in large skillet over moderately high heat until just smoking, then brown meat in 3 batches, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes per batch, transferring to crockpot. Add 3T of water and scrap any brown bits from bottom of skillet and transfer to crockpot.

Add remaining ingredients to crockpot. Cook on low 8-10hrs or on high 4hrs.