Flemish Beef Stew

Mmmm, slow cooker meals on chilly days. I love coming home to a house that smells like dinner, and being able to rest a bit in the afternoon because I did the major dinner work early in the morning when I still had energy. This was our first try with this recipe and it was pretty good. Next time I think I'll add the carrots a little later so they'll keep their crunch.

Flemish Beef Stew

Origin: EatingWell.com
Yield: 8 servings
Cooking Time: 8 hr 0 min
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:
  ● 4 tsp. canola oil, divided
  ● 2 lb. bottom round, trimmed of fat and cut into 1-inch cubes
  ● 3/4 lb. sliced cremini or white button mushrooms
  ● 3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
  ● 2 cups brown ale or dark beer
  ● 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  ● 1 large onion, chopped
  ● 1 clove garlic, minced
  ● 1 1/2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
  ● 1 tsp. caraway seeds
  ● 3/4 tsp. salt
  ● 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
  ● 1 bay leaf

Directions:
Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add half the beef and brown on all sides, turning frequently, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a 6-quart slow cooker. Drain any fat from the pan. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil and brown the remaining beef. Transfer to the slow cooker.

Return the skillet to medium heat, add mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until they give off their liquid and it evaporates to a glaze, 5 to 7 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the mushrooms; cook undisturbed for 10 seconds, then stir and cook for 30 seconds more. Pour in ale (or beer); bring to a boil, whisking constantly to reduce foaming, until thickened and bubbling, about 3 minutes. Transfer the mushroom mixture to the slow cooker.

Add carrots, onion, garlic, mustard, caraway seeds, salt, pepper and bay leaf to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.

Put the lid on and cook on low until the beef is very tender, about 8 hours. Discard the bay leaf before serving.