World Flavors Cookbook

Beef and Ale Stew

A hearty British pub classic — chunks of beef braised in dark ale with root vegetables until rich and deeply savory.

Cuisine: United Kingdom

Ingredients

• 1kg braising beef, cubed
• 500ml dark ale
• 3 carrots, chunked
• 2 parsnips, chunked
• 2 potatoes, cubed
• 2 onions, quartered
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• Thyme, bay leaves
• Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Toss beef in seasoned flour. Brown in batches in a heavy pot.
2. Sauté onions. Add tomato paste and cook 2 minutes.
3. Pour in ale and scrape up all browned bits.
4. Return beef with herbs, Worcestershire sauce, and enough water to cover.
5. Simmer covered for 2 hours. Add root vegetables in last 45 minutes.
6. Sauce should be thick and glossy. Serve with crusty bread.