Dinner - Skillet Beef and Beer Stew

Let me just preface by saying this is one of our new favorite recipes. It's basic, but really hearty, and although we ate it in the "summer", it would be perfect for a chilly fall or winter day. Matt called this a "Kiefer Keeper" and I had a good laugh.

This recipe comes to you from a small little cookbook titled simply, "Beer Cookbook". Seriously. We purchased ours after taking the Miller Brewery tour here in Milwaukee, WI. You can also purchase it here on Amazon. It contains many different recipes all containing beer, including appetizers, main dishes, and even desserts (for example, beer and pretzel chocolate pie!! I want to make that.).

For this recipe we used New Glarus Totally Naked beer. The beer is a nice lager and the flavor comes through really nicely in this meal. We also paired the stew with fantastic pretzel rolls from Pretzilla, also made locally. It was a nice match to the beer flavor.

I really hope you will all try this recipe, it is so good. Perhaps file it away for the fall, when you want a nice, warm and hearty meal.

Skillet Beef and Beer Stew

Ingredients:
-12 oz. lean beef round, roasted and cut into cubes (we used 1 pound beef stew meat)
-1 medium onion, chopped
-1 medium bell pepper, chopped (we used red pepper)
-2 teaspoons minced garlic
-2 medium raw potatoes
-1/2 pound baby carrots (24 carrots)
-8 oz. beef broth
-8 oz. light beer (we used a regular lager)
-1/4 cup evaporated milk
-2 tablespoons cornstarch
-1 teaspoon paprika

Coat large non-stick skillet with cooking spray (you may want to just use a large diameter pot, as there is quite a bit of food in the recipe!). Heat over medium-high heat.
Add beef, onion, pepper and garlic to the skillet. Cook until beef is browned, stirring.
Stir in potatoes, carrots, broth and beer. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and cover.
Simmer until meat is tender, about 30 minutes.
Stir together evaporated milk, cornstarch, and paprika in a small cup, then add to beef mixture and stir.
Cook until thickened slightly and bubbly, around 5 minutes.
Cook, stirring, 2 minutes longer.
Enjoy!