Beef Stew

posted by Katie Lee
Adapted from "The Comfort Table" by Katie Lee. Copyright Simon Spotlight Entertainment 2008. SHOW

Ingredients:

2 pounds lean stewing beef (such as top round), cut into 2-inch cubes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons olive oil
One 12-ounce bottle stout beer, such as Guinness
10 small new potatoes, cut in half
2 medium yellow onions, quartered
4 large carrots, cut on the diagonal into 1-inch pieces
1 celery stalk, cut into 1-inch pieces, plus 1/2 cup leaves, roughly chopped
4 cups low-sodium beef broth
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup frozen peas
3 scallions, sliced, optional

Directions:

Season the beef generously with salt and pepper. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the flour evenly over the meat.
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef in a single layer without crowding the pan (work in 2 batches if necessary) and cook, turning, until browned on all sides. Remove the beef from the pan and reserve.
Add the beer to the pan and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Bring the liquid to a boil and cook until it is reduced by half; return the beef to the pot and add the potatoes, onions, carrots, celery stalk, broth and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a very low simmer, cover and cook until the beef is very tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
In a small bowl, mash the butter with the remaining 3 tablespoons flour until smooth. While whisking the liquid, drop small pieces of the butter paste into the stew, whisking until each piece dissolves. Continue adding the butter paste until it is used up and completely dissolved into the stew. Add the peas and continue cooking until the stew is thickened and the peas are cooked, about 5 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper (about 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper).
Ladle the stew into individual bowls and garnish with the chopped celery leaves and sliced scallions, if using.