Slow Cooked Beef Carbonnade

Image by Hemburger Helper, via Flickr. I totally forgot to take a pic last time – will update next time I make it! :)

This is one of my favourite slow cooker recipes. It’s incredibly rich and delicious! It’s based on a Belgian dish of beef and beer stew, but I always think it works best with Guinness. :)

You need:

• 1 packet of quality stewing steak
• 10 shallots or baby onions, peeled, whole
• 1 red onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, crushed
• Decent handful of fresh, chopped thyme
• 1 packet of smoked streaky bacon, chopped
• 2 cans Guinness
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1 tbsp butter
• Dash of milk

1. Start by warming your slow cooker on low.
2. Then, chuck your beef, bacon, garlic and onion into a lightly oiled pan and cook off until the beef is sealed and the bacon is starting to crisp. You can remove the beef and plonk in the slow cooker if the bacon’s taking a while to crisp.
3. Next, add the shallots (whole) to the pan and lightly brown on each side.
4. When everything is lightly cooked, transfer to your slow cooker. Now, pour your Guinness into the pan and stir well so the beer picks up the bacon flavours. Lightly season and add the thyme.
5. In a small saucepan, make a roux by melting the butter and whisking in the flour. Add a dash of milk so you have a not-too-thick paste. When the Guinness is bubbling away, add the roux and whisk in until the beer is thickened. Pour over the meat and veg in the slow cooker and leave on low for 7-9 hours. Do not stir too often, or the meat will break up.
6. Serve with fresh mashed potato, steamed carrots, tender-stem broccoli and asparagus.

Enjoy!

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