Flemish Beef and Beer Stew

Carbonnades are made with bacon and dark-colored beer. This is delicious over hot, buttered egg noodles or spaetzle.

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 lbs boneless beef chuck or 1 1⁄2 lbs  round steaks, 1 inch thick
• 1⁄4 lb bacon
• 4  medium onions, sliced
• 1  clove garlic, chopped
• 3  tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1  cup water
• 1 (12 ounce) can dark beer
• 1  bay leaf
• 1  tablespoon  packed brown sugar
• 2  teaspoons salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 1  tablespoon vinegar
•  minced parsley
•  hot cooked  noodles

Directions

1. Cut beef into 1/2-inch slices; cut slices into 2-inch strips.
2. Cut bacon into 1/4-inch pieces; fry in Dutch oven until crisp.
3. Remove bacon with slotted spoon; drain.
4. Pour off fat and reserve.
5. Cook and stir onions and garlic in 2 tablespoons of the reserved bacon fat until onion is tender, about 10 minutes.
6. Remove onions.
7. Cook and stir beef in remaining bacon fat until brown, about 15 minutes.
8. Stir in flour to coat beef; gradually stir in water.
9. Add onions, beer, bay leaf, brown sugar, salt, thyme and pepper.
10. Add just enough water to cover beef if necessary.
11. Heat to boiling; reduce heat.
12. Cover and simmer until beef is tender-1 to 1 1/2 hours.
13. Remove bay leaf.
14. Stir in vinegar; sprinkle with bacon and parsley.
15. If you prefer, you can brown the beef and cook the bacon first, then put everything in the crockpot for 6-8 hours on low and it turns out just about as well!