Flemish Beef Stew cooked in Beer

Flemish beef stew cooking in the best beer, Belgian style ! Average cooking skills are required, enjoy !
== Ingredients ==
* 4 lbs beef stew meat, 2" cubes
* 1 tsp salt
* ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
* 2 to 3 tbsp flour
* 3 to 4 tbsp unsalted butter
* 3 large onions, thinly sliced
* 24 oz Belgian beer
* 2 to 3 sprig thyme
* 2x bay leaves
* 1½ tbsp red currant jelly
* 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
== Directions ==
# Season the beef cubes with the salt and pepper and dredge with the flour. Shake off any excess.
# Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large heavy skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking.
# Add the beef cubes and sauté until nicely browned on all sides.
# Work in batches so as not to crowd the beef cubes, or they will steam instead of sauté. Add 1 tablespoon of butter, if necessary.
# Transfer the beef cubes to a heavy Dutch oven.
# Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet and melt over medium heat.
# Add the onions and cook stirring occasionally, until browned, about 15 minutes.
# If necessary, raise the heat toward the end of the cooking time.
# It is important to brown the meat and the onions evenly to give the stew its deep brown color.
# The trick is to stir the onions just enough to avoid burning the but not so often as to interrupt the browning process.
# Combine the onions with the meat in the Dutch oven.
# Deglaze the skillet with the beer, scraping with a wooden spoon to loosen any brown bits, and bring to a boil.
# Pour the beer over the meant.
# Add the thyme and bay leaves.
# Simmer, covered, over low heat until the meat is very tender, 1½ to 2 hours.
# Before serving, stir in the red currant jelly and vinegar; simmer for 5 minutes.
# This sweet-and-sour combination will give this hearty stew its sprigs and bay leaves.
# Taste and adjust the seasoning and serve.
Category:Belgian Meat Dishes
Category:Stew Recipes
Category:Recipes using beer
Category:Beef Recipes
Category:Onion Recipes
Category:Currant jelly Recipes
Category:Red wine vinegar Recipes
Category:Thyme Recipes