This is exactly what I wish I had in my house last weekend when we were all hibernating and hiding from that giant snowstorm Jonas – the perfect winter stew. I’ve done it so many times before I should know by now to always keep the ingredients on hand for those emergency situations. Any stew really will warm you up on a cold winter day, but this one has a depth and richness that’s hard to beat, brought on by my favorite dark brew: Guinness.
It has everything you would expect to find: carrots, celery, root vegetables, onions, braising beef, etc. and then that extra, so clever addition of smoked bacon where just a little is enough to impart a divinely smoky flavor to the whole dish (and heavenly scent in your house).
Irish food is usually celebrated around St. Patrick’s Day and this is honestly the perfect meal for that, but there’s no reason to wait until then especially with that dismal weather lingering. Chefs and dark beer amateurs like myself have been cooking with the hearty Irish stout for the great complexity and toasty malt flavor it adds to stews, soups, desserts and that amazing burger. Guinness’s bitterness is also perfect for offsetting rich meat and here it boils down to a thick and insanely flavorful gravy, enveloping the tender chunks of beef in a beautiful color too.
Up to here it’s already spectacular, but what really sealed the deal for me were the dumplings covering the top. They’re so incredibly easy to make there’s no reason I’d ever do another stew without them, plus they play a major role in the finished product.
They’re essentially drop biscuits, topped with Parmesan, that simmer on top of the stew, absorbing some of the gravy and acting as perfect vehicle to mop up all that deliciousness sitting at the bottom of your bowl. I swear after this you’ll be serving dumplings with all your casseroles.
This is about as good as it gets on a cold night (beef and beer is after all an age-old tradition for the season) and the leftovers are even superior, having sat in that magical sauce overnight. I’ll sure be ready next time Mother Nature wants to direct anger issues at the Northeast…
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