Beef and Guinness Stew with Crusty Bread

Here’s a recipe for Beef and Guinness Stew with Crusty Bread:

Beef and Guinness Stew

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds beef stew meat (such as chuck or round)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup Guinness stout
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped

Instructions:

1. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
2. Add the onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
3. Add the Guinness, beef broth, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
4. Return the beef to the pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 2 1/2 hours, or until the beef is tender.
5. Add the carrots and potatoes to the pot and continue to simmer for an additional 30 minutes, or until they are tender.
6. Serve the stew hot, garnished with fresh thyme and crusty bread on the side.

Crusty Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes, or until the yeast is dissolved.
2. Add the oil, salt, and 2 cups of the flour to the bowl. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Gradually add the remaining cup of flour, one cup at a time, until the dough comes together in a sticky ball.
4. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Punch down the dough and shape into a round or oblong loaf. Place the loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Picture

[Image description: A hearty bowl of Beef and Guinness Stew with a crusty loaf of bread on the side. The stew is made with tender chunks of beef, carrots, and potatoes in a rich and flavorful Guinness-infused broth. The bread is golden brown and slightly crusted on the outside, with a soft interior.]

Tips and Variations

• For a richer stew, add 1/4 cup of red wine or cognac to the pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• To make the stew more substantial, add 1 cup of diced mushrooms or bell peppers to the pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• For a more intense flavor, use 1/2 cup of Guinness instead of 1 cup.
• To make the bread more crispy, bake it for an additional 5-10 minutes.