Irish Beef Stew
Recipe By: 
Recipe type: Dinner
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4
 
Ingredients
  • 2 medium-sized onions, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 pounds stew meat (lamb or beef), rinsed and dried very well
  • 7 carrots, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons pearl barley
  • 5 cups chicken stock
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 bouquet garni (parsley, thyme, and bay leaf)
  • 12 medium potatoes
  • Butter for serving
Preparation Instructions
  1. In a dutch oven or large stock pot, cook the onions in the oil and butter over medium high heat until they start to look translucent.
  2. Add the dried thyme and then the meat. Brown the meat over high heat - if you need to remove some of the liquid from the pot so the meat will brown, go ahead and do so.
  3. Once the meat is dried add the carrots and barley and pour in enough chicken stock to cover the meat and veggies.
  4. Add the salt, pepper and bouquet garni.
  5. Cover the pot and allow to simmer on low for 2 hours - do allow to boil - it is the long slow cooking that results in the tender meat. If you rush it, you will get tough meat.
  6. After it has simmered for 2 hours, place the potatoes on top - do not stir in - recover and cook for another 30 minutes.
  7. Once the potatoes are tender (I usually stick a fork in and if it goes in easily then they're done) scoop into serving bowls and top with a little bit of butter (Mmmmm, butter....) and serve!
Recipe by Foods of Our Lives at https://www.foodsofourlives.com/2013/03/irish-beef-stew/