Today is Adrian’s birthday so dinner being his choice he went for my fragrant and mouthwatering Beef & Guinness Stew, a one pot wonder infused with hugs, cosiness and a sense that all’s right with the world. What more could anyone wish for?

My dears it is so simple…aside from all the chopping is a pain but sure if he wasn’t at work he would have done that part for me. As it was I was a chopping fool all afternoon.

This is the saucepan… half full…eventually I filled it. When I make a stew I want to get two days from it if I can. But I’m getting ahead of myself, lets go back to the beginning and yes you can make this even if you’ve never done the likes of it before, it’s that simple.

This is what you need…

Lean stewing steak, cubed

1 cup of plain flour seasoned with salt & pepper

2 garlic cloves chopped

A mix of veg such as potatoes, carrots, onion, parsnip & celery

1-2 cans of Guinness (stout)

2 bay leaves & a mix of fresh or dried marjoram, parsley & thyme

4 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil

This is what you do…

Toss the cubed meat in the seasoned flour and brown in the olive oil & garlic in a large saucepan.

Add the veg and stir briskly for a few minutes

Add the Guinness, herbs and top up with water, if necessary, to just about cover

Bring to the boil then cover and simmer for two and a half to three hours (add more water if you need to)

Leave the room and walk back in so you can faint with pleasure at the gorgeous aroma…repeat…repeat, stir & repeat : )

If possible arrange a bitterly cold winters evening, an open fire, a good bottle of red wine & serve…

This is rustic fare at it’s very best…

Happy Birthday Honey x o x