Matthews Irish Stew With Guinness Dumplings And Colcannon Mash Recipes

BEEF AND GUINNESS STEW

Steps:

• Cut the beef into 5cm/2" chunks. Pat dry then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in a heavy based pot over high heat. Add beef in batches and brown well all over. Remove onto plate. Repeat with remaining beef.
• Lower heat to medium. If the pot is looking dry, add oil.
• Cook garlic and onion for 3 minutes until softening, then add bacon.
• Cook until bacon is browned, then stir through carrot and celery.
• Add flour, and stir for 1 minute to cook off the flour.
• Add Guinness, chicken broth/stock and tomato paste. Mix well (to ensure flour dissolves well), add bay leaves and thyme.
• Return beef into the pot (including any juices). Liquid level should just cover - see video or photos.
• Cover, lower heat so it is bubbling gently. Cook for 2 hours - the beef should be pretty tender by now. Remove lid then simmer for a further 30 - 45 minutes or until the beef falls apart at a touch, the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly.
• Skim off fat on surface, if desired. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Remove bay leaves and thyme.
• Serve with creamy mashed potatoes!!

TRADITIONAL IRISH BEEF AND GUINNESS STEW

Steps:

• Cut the beef across the grain into into 1-inch pieces. Sprinkle with some salt, pepper and the flour and toss to coat the pieces. Set aside.
• Fry the bacon in a Dutch oven or heavy pot until done then remove it with a slotted spoon, leaving the bacon drippings in the pan.
• Working in batches and being careful not to overcrowd the pieces, generously brown the beef on all sides. Transfer the beef to a plate and repeat until all the beef is browned.
• Add the onions and fry them, adding more oil if necessary, until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the vegetables and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the Guinness and bring it to a rapid boil, deglazing the bottom of the pot (scraping up the browned bits on the bottom). Boil for 2 minutes. Return the beef and bacon to the pot along with the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. (**At this point you can transfer everything to a slow cooker if you prefer. Follow the remaining steps and then cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.)Bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 2 hours. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve with some crusty country bread or Irish soda bread. This soup is even better the next day.

IRISH STEW WITH DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• For the stew: cut the meat into small pieces, season and dredge with flour.
• Melt bacon drippings in a heavy skillet and brown the meat; add onions and cook until golden.
• Add enough stock or water to cover meat.
• Add turnip, carrots, celery and parsley; simmer for two hours.
• Add cubed potatoes and cook more rapidly until potatoes are done.
• To make the dumplings: sift dry ingredients together, cut in fat and add enough milk to give a smooth drop batter.
• Drop by spoonfuls over the top of the stew (the stew should be kept boiling hot).
• Cover the pot and allow dumplings to steam 15 minutes without lifting cover.