Thursday, December 29, 2011

Beef Stew with Beer and Horseradish



Many of you may think our sunny San Diego weather something akin to that of Honolulu, but let me assure you that is certainly not true...

While I may have been able to walk along the beach this morning, enjoying those light ocean breezes, recently I've had to start wearing long sleeves.  In addition, I've had to shut the windows at night (well, all except for a little crack - some fresh air is necessary to sleep...).  And I've found frost on the grass in the morning on more than one occasion, and believe me, my feet are absolutely freezing when I take the pups out on said morning with bare feet.  (Goodness... that  39º concrete is darn cold at 6 AM).  All I can say is thank goodness for for my beloved seat warmer as I drop the kids at school.

In all seriousness... I do chuckle at the number of people wrapped in ski jackets, scarves, hats and gloves as we walk along the beach with temps in the mid 60's.  One can always tell the "out of towners" as they are comfortable in t-shirts and even shorts.  San Diego Sissies?  Yes... we are!!
Such dire weather where one is chilled to the bone calls for extreme measures... such as a steamy bowl of stew.  Filled with tender beef and soft veggies, this beer spiked, horseradish flavored version had the entire family (even picky Liv) asking for seconds.  Mushrooms add wonderful flavor and texture while the horseradish gains somewhat of a sweetness and loses its bite as it stews over time.

So as we enter this chilly new year and continue into the dead of winter, break out your pot and stew yourself up a bowl of warming goodness.  Your chilly bones will thank you...


Beef Stew with Beer and Horseradish

2 pounds stew beef, cubed 2 inches 
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 to5 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil 
2 onions, chopped 
4 cloves garlic, chopped 
1 bay leaf 
3 tablespoons tomato paste 
1 bottle warm lager beer (I used Kona Brewing Co. Fire Rock Pale Ale)
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce 
2-3 cups beef stock
1-3 cups water (depending on "stewing time")
3 tablespoons prepared horseradish 
1 cup baby Yukon gold potatoes
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 cup quartered mushrooms
A handful parsley, chopped - for garnish

Pat the meat dry, sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot and ripping, add half the meat and brown, and then remove to plate. Repeat with the second batch of meat. Once all the meat is evenly browned, reduce the heat a bit and add another drizzle of oil if necessary. Then add the onions, garlic and bay and cook to soften, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the tomato paste and stir a minute. Then stir in the beer and reduce for a minute or 2 more. Add the Worcestershire, 2 cups of stock, horseradish and beef. Add just enough water to surround the meat and partially cover. Simmer over medium-low heat for 2 hours, until very tender adding additional water or stock as needed.
20 to 30 minutes before serving, add the baby potatoes, carrots and mushrooms.  Simmer until tender.  Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
Ladle into bowls and top with chopped parsley and serve with a toasted crusty bread.
Our stew served 4.

Liv Life Note 1:  Need additional servings?  Simply add additional veggies and more stock/water!

Liv Life Note 2:  Upon serving this steaming bowl Liv gave me a look of disdain along with a comment of "Are we really eating this?"  With a smile I responded that yes, this was dinner.  She hesitantly took a bite then her face lit up with a smile and she exclaimed, "This is good!!!" and promptly cleaned her plate.  :)

19 comments:

  1. That cartoon made me smile--we are big sissies in northern CA, too! I'm so jealous that you get to walk on the beach everyday (if you want to). Taking advantage of being able to do that here in Maui while I can! Just had to stop by and say your stew is gorgeous. Would love to have that waiting for me when we get home.

    Happy New Year to you and fam, Kim!

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  2. Love the little cartoon you have on here. The stew looks ridiculously comforting!

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  3. I would normally sneer at that cartoon but it is actually 55 degrees here today and beautiful. Not really stew weather, but I am definitely saving this for later. (I am sure the bottom will drop out sooner or later!) Happy New Year!

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  4. Ha-love the cartoon, I used to live in California and know exactly how that can be!
    Your stew does look very tasty-I like the use of beer in it. The picture does entice with all those big carrots and potatoes with the beef-great post!

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  5. Kim- Since this is Liv approved, I have to try it now. Looks yummy and I completely relate about the weather. I laughed reading your post as I always chuckle when the natives wear their Uggs in 60 degree weather. Wishing you and your family a wonderful New Year. Hope to see you SOOOOOON! xoxo

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  6. This stew sounds scrumptious! I've been looking for an excuse to use up some left over bottles of beer from the holidays. Definitely going to give this a try.

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  7. LOL, I love the comments from Liv...I get those same responses when I make stew or pot roast. But since this one is Liv approved, it will have to make our comfort food rotation. It looks marvelous!

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  8. I want it even colder, I can't believe but here in San Marcos today it reached 70!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  9. Great cartoon!! It actually got chilly here:)That is a comforting stew to warm up with on cold days. Happy New Year:)xx

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  10. Mmm, love a good beer stew (hey, I'm German!) but horseradish sounds like a delicious kick in this! Great idea :)

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  11. Very funny! I don't like to be cold either, a California girl through and through! We enjoyed a beef stew similar to this in Belgium on our trip this fall and I have been wanting to recreate something similar ever since. So, thanks for this recipe, I will be making my own beef stew with beer soon. Happy New Year to you;-)

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  12. Perfectly delicious and comforting beef stew for New Year's Day!
    Our temp. are a bit chilly here, this morning was about 52 degrees F.
    but with sunshine, which is always a good thing.
    We also recognize the "out of towners" in their shorts, and T-shirts getting around town, while we bundle up, and even wear boots!?...now how weird is that?!
    Happy and Healthy New Year!
    xoxo

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  13. This looks delicious! It has been soo cold here in San Diego recently :) I've had to bust out the wool coats.

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  14. The cartoon is so funny! And the seat warmer, one of the best inventions!
    The stew sounds comforting on a chili day:)
    Wishing you and your family a happy New Year!

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  15. It's literally 15 degrees here today so a big bowl of this would really warm me up! Love the addition of horseradish!

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  16. Beef stew is already pretty perfect....add horseradish and you've just blown my mind. I wish I could have a spoon full of that wonderful meal!

    (I'd totally be the one in the shorts....)

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  17. Okay, this rocks. I have to do this one! Love beef and horseradish. We are chilly, chilly here (32 when I left the house today!).

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  18. I have a horseradish root sitting on my counter waiting for me to grind it up into prepared horseradish. I think I've just found my first use for the finished batch! It looks amazing. Liv's seal of approval cinches the deal.

    FYI, "I've had to start wearing long sleeves." Oh, I laughed. You poor, poor cold lady. :)

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  19. Oh, my goodness, does this look good. I'm going right out and getting some beef. What a treat for my husband and son. ha ha ha I notice there is a gluten free cake recipe. My daughter is gluten free and we're always looking for good recipes. I'm following on Google+ and would love a follow back. Thanks, Linda

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