Beef and Barley Stew

This week is all about beef! John and I traveled to Ireland this past fall and the Irish are all about their stews. To be honest though, who doesn't love a good stew? They are just so thick and warm and comfort in a bowl. At every pub we went to, they had a beef or lamb stew on the menu served with their traditional Irish soda bread and it was oh so delicious.

Since it has been so cold in San Diego lately- seriously though, it was in the high 30s last night - I have been making a lot of soups and stews. This is a pretty basic beef stew recipe, but it is kicked up a notch with some barley. The barley adds an extra layer of texture and all around yummy-ness to this simple stew! I also like to use Guinness in my beef stew as it adds an extra layer of flavor and it is what the Irish would do, but if you are opposed to the idea of Guinness then just add in additional beef stock. Your stew will be just as tasty!

Beef and Barley Stew
Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds beef stew meat cubed
• 1 medium onion diced
• 4-5 stalks of celery diced
• 3 carrots diced
• 4 cloves of garlic minced
• 2 russet potatoes diced
• 1 cup barley
• 2 bottles of Guinness (optional - if you don't want to use Guinness, just add more beef stock)
• 2 boxes of beef stock
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Red pepper flakes to taste (optional)
• 1 teaspoon fresh or dried thyme minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh or dried rosemary minced

How to Make Beef and Barley Stew:

1. Drizzle a large stock pot with extra virgin olive oil. Add your stew meat and saute over medium high heat until your meat is brown. Salt and pepper to taste.
2. Add in the onion, celery, carrots, and garlic and cook until your onions are translucent. Season the entire mix with your red pepper flakes, thyme and rosemary. Stir to combine and cook for a few minutes more. 
3. Add in your beer and 1.5 boxes/quarts of beef stock. 
4. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer. Simmer for approximately 1 hour. 
5. Add in your potatoes and bring back to a simmer. 
6. In the meantime, cook your barley by adding the barley and .5 box of beef stock in a medium sauce pan. Basically, you will combine your ingredients (don't forget to season with salt and pepper), bring to a boil, cover and simmer for about 45 minutes until the barley is soft. 
7. Add the cooked barley to your beef stew mix. 
8. Simmer for an additional 30 minutes so all flavors meld together and combine. 

Enjoy!

-H