Perfection on a cooold snowy night

     It is freaking cold outside tonight. And it's been snowing it's winter ass off.  We got several inches of snow over the course of the day, tho not nearly what they predicted we'd get. Here, at least. And it's cold. Did I mention that already? Well, it's worth repeating cuz damn it's cold! 

What to cook for dinner...what to cook for dinner... Ohhhh what to cook for dinner? What to cook to fill our bellies and help warm us up? That is indeed the question. And the answer, my friends? Beef stew, of course!

Maybe I just suck, but I can never get beef stew to photograph well. So this pic may seriously suck not be the greatest, but let me assure you, it tastes just wonderful! My mom actually said that outside of my daddy's beef stew, this was the best she had ever had. A compliment like that coming from my mom is huuuuge. She can be rather picky so you don't get that very often. I only wish my daddy were still around to have some. I'm sure he would really enjoy my cooking now... Sigh..

You Need:

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2 and 1/2 lbs of beef stew meat
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 bottle of beer
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped to about 1 inch cubes
• 4 carrots, peeled and chopped to about 1 inch pieces
• 3 Tbsp flour

Directions:

1. Heat up the oil and butter in a large pot. Toss in your meat and cook it just til browned on all sides.
2. Remove meat to a plate or bowl and set aside. Now toss your diced onions into the pot, lower heat to low and  cook for 3 or 4 minutes, til softened, stirring a few times.
3. Add your garlic, cook for another minute then dump in the whole bottle of beer. Minus a sip or two cuz you must be parched from all this hard work. ;)
4. Cook for another minute or two, then add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, paprika, sugar, salt and pepper and your bay leaf.
5. Return your meat to the pot, cover and simmer over low heat for 1 and 1/2 hours. Set your timer and go clean up the mess you've made. Or kick back and have a beer. I won't judge... As long as you have one for me as well.
6. Add your carrots and potatoes into the pot, give it a good stir and continue cooking for another 25 to 30 minutes til the veggies are nice and tender. Fish out the bay leaf and throw it away.
7. Remove 1 to 1 and 1/2 cups of your stew liquid and place in a bowl. Add in your flour and whisk very well. Pour this back into the pot, stir it up and simmer for another 10 minutes or so. The stew should thicken up quite a bit.
8. Serve this up with some fresh dinner rolls or bread and a salad to round it out and you've got yourself one hell of an awesome meal!