Irish I had Doubled the Batch

Typically, St Patrick's Day finds us on a patio drinking green beer but with Anthony's new commute and me being off the bottle for another 4 months, we decided to keep things simple this year with some American Idol (how very Irish) and this yummy stew! (adapted from Simply Recipes)

Irish Beef Stew

-1/4c olive oil

-1 1/4 lb stew meat

-6 minced garlic cloves
-5c beef stock

-1c guinness draught

-1c pinot noir

-3 tbsp tomato paste

-1 tbsp splenda

-1/2 tbsp thyme

-1 tbsp worcestershire sauce

-2 bay leaves

-2 tbsp margarine

-2 lbs russets, peeled and chopped

-1c carrots, peeled and chopped

-1 white onion, chopped

-1c chopped celery

flour

cornstarch

-Dip the stew meat in flour and shake off. Brown in the olive oil.

-Add garlic for 1 min.

-Add beer, wine, tomato paste, splenda, thyme, worchestershire sauce, bay leaves and beef stock.

-Boil, reduce and cover for 1 hour.

-While liquids are simmering, cook carrots, onion, celery and potatoes in margarine for 20 minutes.

-Add vegetables to liquids and simmer for 40 minutes, uncovered.

-Remove bay leaves and add a little cornstarch if you want a thicker stew. I served with whole wheat rolls. Enjoy!! We did!!

Since the pictures turned out a tad unappetizing, I leave you with 2 of my 4 new red doors.

I finally got red doors...one week before the house goes on the market! Oh well, maybe someone out there will appreciate them as much as I do.