Rula Bula Braised Beef with Guinness

Source: Megan Bates - Rula Bula, Tempe, Arizona

2 1/2 pounds lean chuck, cut into 1 1/2 -inch cubes
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons oil
2 carrots peeled and sliced
1 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1/4 tablespoon tomato paste
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup beef broth
1 cup Guinness
Salt and pepper, to taste

Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper and dredge in flour. Melt butter with oil in heavy skillet over high heat. Add beef and saute until browned, about 5 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium-low and add onions, garlic, tomato paste. Saute 5 minutes. Transfer the contents of the pan to a casserole. Deglaze the pan with Guinness. Pour in the remaining beef broth, add the carrots and the thyme. Stir taste and add a little salt and pepper if necessary.

Cover the casserole and cook in a low oven at 300 degrees F for 2 * to 3 hours. Skim off excess fat with a large spoon and correct the seasoning.

Serve with colcannon (Irish dish consisting of mashed potatoes and chopped cabbage.)

Yields 6 servings.