Eating this Belgian beef stew is like sitting in a pub, tucked away in a corner, surrounded by red leather booths, candles burned so low the wax threatens to pool onto the table, and the smell of wood, whiskey and rain all running together to create a familiar fragrance.
A local band plays on a small stage.
Someone in the back tries to sing along.
A few start swaying to the beat of the song, trying not to spill their warm beer.
Sounds of muffled laughter, clinking glasses, and raised voices ordering more food compete with the band.
Food can take you on the most fabulous adventure without ever leaving your kitchen!
I love serving this with mashed potatoes and roasted carrots for the perfect cozy fall or winter dinner.
You can make this in a Dutch Oven or Instant Pot, but I’ve found the Instant Pot creates even MORE flavor! For the Instant Pot: Set your IP on the “Sauté” setting. If you can adjust the setting I’ve found that “4” works really well. Your IP may also have a “low” setting, so you can use that, too. Melt the butter and add the bacon, Sauté for a few minutes the bacon has cooked. When the bacon is cooked, remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add onions to the bacon drippings and cook until they are golden and caramelized, about 10 – 15 minutes. Use a slotted spoon and remove onions from IP and set aside with the cooked bacon. Add the meat, and cook for 5-6 minutes, until it’s golden brown on all sides. Depending on the size of your IP, you may need to do this in separate batches. Add the onions and bacon back into the IP with the garlic and meat and sprinkle with flour. Sauté for 1-2 minutes to cook the flour. By cooking the flour a bit you’re cooking out any flour taste which you definitely don’t want in the stew. You want the flour to thicken the stew, not flavor it. Turn off the IP. Add the broth, beer, thyme, bay leaves, and mustard. Give the mixture a stir, and then turn on your IP and cook on the Manual Setting, High (or choose Stew setting) for 40 minutes. I like using Natural Release, and while it releases naturally I use the time to set the table, get out the plates and pour a glass of red wine. When the pressure has released naturally, carefully remove the lid and stir in the brown sugar, apple cider and season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasonings — does it need more sweetness? Add another spoonful of brown sugar. Need more bite? Add another splash of apple cider. Need to mellow things out a bit? Swirl in a tablespoon of butter. Serve over mashed potatoes with roasted carrots and sprinkle fresh parsley over everything!Ingredients
Instructions
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