Anytime I decide to make a beef stew after the month of March you can guarantee that by the time I set it on the table the sun will be blazing outside. The birds will be singing, neighbours will be mowing their lawns, and Chris will be either looking pointedly at the barbecue, or rolling his eyeballs at me. Just like the days you actually remember to take your new sunglasses out and it rains all day. This warming, comforting beef casserole = the assurance of sunshine. But I really really like casseroles! I’d happily eat a stodgy meat-potato-saucy casserole any time of the year, but I suppose it is a bit ridiculous when everybody else is eating lovely light salads and stir frys.So I decided to de-winter my favourite beef casserole! The addition of a little garlic, plus some crunchy veg and a sprinkling of parmesan makes SUCH a difference.
What do we need?
Beef chunks - more about the cut of beef in belowFlour, salt and pepper to coat and season the beefGuinness (or other ale - see swaps further down) and beef stock for a lovely rich flavourBell peppers and courgette (zucchini) - these will be lightly cooked for a fresh biteParmesan, parsley and red onion for a lovely light topping. I’m also serving it with couscous.
How to make this Summer Beef Stew
I like to serve this stew with warm couscous. I use either plain couscous cooked in a little stock, or a spicy flavoured couscous. Delish!
Can I make it in the slow cooker instead?
Yes, once you’ve brought the casserole to the boil in step 3, transfer the contents to your slow cooker and cook on high for 5-6 hours or low for 7-8 hours. This is the crockpot (<– affiliate link) I use. It has a searing function, so you can cook it all in the slow cooker without having to use a pan at all. Add the peppers and courgette for the last 20 minutes of cooking (the heat is a lot more delicate in a slow cooker, so they’ll take a little longer to warm through.
Slow Cooker Spicy Chicken Curry Slow-Cooked Steak Diane Casserole Slow-Cooked Hungarian Beef Goulash Traditional Lamb Hotpot Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Casserole Beef and Guinness Stew with Crispy Onions Beef Bourguignon Beef Rendang Curry
Can I make this without Guinness?
Yes, you can replace the Guinness with another stout or robust ale. If you want to make it without alcohol just replace the same amount of Guinness with beef stock plus a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce. This replaces the tiny amount of tang that you’d get from the Guinness. It mellows as it cooks, so don’t worry about it being too acidic.
Alternative serving suggestion to couscous?
Serve with pasta, baby new potatoes, quinoa or bulgar wheat for a light side dish. A lovely herby tabbouleh would also go brilliantly for a fresh summer flavour..
Watch how to make it
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