Slow Cooker Beef & Stout Stew

• 3 pounds lean beef stew meat cut in 1″ cubes
• ½ cup white all purpose flour
• 1 pound carrots, chopped (about 4 large, will yield 3 cups)
• 1 pound yukon gold potatoes, chopped (about 4 medium size, will yield 3 cups)
• 2 large yellow onions, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, grated of finely minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 12oz stout beer
• 64 ounces (8 cups) chicken stock, divided
• 10oz frozen peas
• 12oz white mushrooms, quartered
• 2 bay leaves
• salt and pepper
• olive oil
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1. In a baking dish, stir and combine the flour, 2 teaspoon salt and 2 teaspoon pepper. Add the beef stew meat and toss to coat. Tap off excess, and transfer the flour dredged stew meat to a plate. Discard any leftover flour.
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3. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat for 2 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon olive oil, and add about ¼ of the meat, being careful to not overcrowd the pan (otherwise the meat will steam and not brown). Cook about 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown, turning to cook both sides. Transfer the cooked meat to your slow cooker. Repeat to continue browning the meat, adding another teaspoon of olive oil to the pan each time before adding the meat.
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5. While the meat is browning, chop up the carrots and potatoes to be about 1″ x ½” chunks. You don’t want to cut the vegetables too small, otherwise they won’t hold up in the stew. Transfer the cut carrots and potatoes to the slow cooker. Chop up the 2 onions and set aside.
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7. After the meat is done cooking, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to the same pan and cook the onions. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. While the onions are cooking, scrape up any brown bits and cooked flour on the bottom of the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the onions just starting to soften. Add in the garlic and tomato paste, stir and cook for 1 more minute. Add in about 1 cup of the chicken stock and scrape up any remaining bits on the bottom of the pan.
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9. Transfer the cooked onions and liquid to the crock pot. Add in the stout beer, remaining chicken stock, and bay leaves to the crock pot. Add the mushrooms. Give a stir to evenly distribute the meat and vegetables.
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11. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4-6 hours, or LOW for 8-10 hours. Half way through the cooking time, add the frozen peas. Taste for salt and pepper after cooking.
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13. Serve warm, over egg noodles.
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