Beer is the Secret Ingredient in this Stew
You know this beef stew has got to be fabulous if I made it and thoroughly enjoyed it during a fluke 90-degree heatwave a few weeks ago.
So just think how satisfying it will be during the bone-chilling fall weather to come.
“Beef-Ale Stew and Green Onion-Buttermilk Dumplings” is from the new “The Sunset Cookbook” (Oxmoor House) by the editors of Menlo Park-based Sunset magazine.
It’s the first new cookbook in 15 years by Sunset.
As a native San Franciscan, I grew up with Sunset magazine as a staple in my family’s house. A stack was always found on our coffee table. Over the years, the look of the magazine may have changed. But one thing that hasn’t is the reliability of the recipes. Meticulously tested, they always work and taste delicious.
The new cookbook, of which I recently received a review copy, follows that tradition. More than 1,000 recipes are packed inside this weighty book, which were selected from the magazine, then retested and updated.
The beauty of this stew is that the thick sauce is really made from nothing more than natural beef juices cooked down for three hours with caramelized onions and two bottles of ale. Yet it tastes far more complex than that. I used the New Belgium Brewing company’s Trippel Ale brewed with coriander, which was smooth, hoppy, robust and had an almost faint caraway note.
Chunks of beef chuck cook up wonderfully tender in the sauce fortified with sweet carrots and earthy mushrooms.
The pièce de résistance is the fluffy, tender dumplings that cook on top of the stew. A simple dough of cold butter, flour, baking soda, buttermilk, egg and copious amounts of sliced green onions gets mixed together. Then, 12 small balls are formed that are gently placed on top of the stew to cook in the steam for half an hour.
Think of it as a riff on chicken and dumplings, only made much heartier with beef and beer.
Perfect for the cool weather ahead.
Beef-Ale Stew and Green Onion-Buttermilk Dumplings
(Serves 6 to 8 )
4 pounds beef chuck, fat trimmed and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
6 tablespoons plus 2 cups flour, divided use
3 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided use
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided use
2 bottles (12 ounces each) ale
2 large onions, thinly sliced
1/2 pound mushrooms, quartered
3 large carrots, halved lengthwise and cut into 1-inch lengths
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions (green part only)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
4 1/2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
3/4 cup buttermilk, or more as needed
1 egg
In a large bowl, toss beef with 3 tablespoons flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and the pepper. In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add enough beef to pot to form a single layer (about a third of beef), being careful not to overcrowd pot. Brown meat on all sides, about 7 minutes total, then transfer meat to a large bowl. Brown remaining beef in two batches and transfer to bowl. If meat or pan juices start to scorch, reduce heat.
Add 1 bottle of ale to pot. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, scrape up any browned bits on bottom. Pour ale from pot over reserved beef and return empty pot to medium-high heat. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pot. Add onions and 2 teaspoons salt. cook, stirring often, 2 minutes. Cover pot and reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions have a hint of gold color, about 20 minutes.
Remove lid, raise heat to medium-high, stir in 3 tablespoons flour, and cook, stirring often, 3 minutes. Add mushrooms, reserved beef and ale, remaining bottle of ale, and the carrots. Bring to a boil. Cover and lower heat to a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until beef is tender, about 3 hours.
About 40 minutes before serving, make dumplings: In a medium bowl, stir together remaining 2 cups flour and 3/4 teaspoon salt, green onions, and baking soda. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, work cold butter into flour mixture until it resembles cornmeal with some pea-size pieces. In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg. Gently fold wet ingredients into dry, mixing until a very shaggy dough forms. If more liquid is needed, add additional buttermilk 1 tablespoon at a time. Gently form dough into 12 equal balls and drop into stew. Cover pot and cook until dumplings are fluffy and cooked through, 20 to 30 minutes. Let sit 15 minutes before serving; stew will thicken as it cools.
Per serving: 732 cal., 39 percent (288 cal.) from fat; 58 g protein; 32 g fat (13 g sat.); 50 g carbo (4.2 g fiber); 1,675 mg sodium; 220 mg chol.
From “The Sunset Cookbook”
More: John Besh’s “Chanterelles, Chicken and Dumplings”
More: Turkey-Andouille-Pinto Bean Tamale Potpie with Corn Bread
Beer–and butter–make everything better. I love the big dumpling, perfect for a fall supper. My personal fave these days are the Wisconsin ciders; might be to fruity for the stew?
Yummy! I love beer in stews. It gives such a marvelous flavor. That recipe is so good looking.
Cheers,
Rosa
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I can’t wait to make this when the weather cools down a bit. I’m interested in this cookbook–been reading so much about it recently. I grew up with Sunset too…and I still read it occasionally. It’s a good magazine.
Wow-this looks amazing. My husband saw this on my screen and demanded I make this. 🙂 I love the beer in the recipe.
It seems easy enough to make. Would love to try this in the dead of winter.
The thought of sopping up that dumpling in the beef stew broth is making my mouth water. Looks delicious!
I am intrigued by the green onion buttermilk dumplings! 🙂
The first time I made beef stew with beer was last March in honor of St. Paddy’s Day. Since then I’ve come to the conclusion that beer should be the secret ingredient in all beef stews. 😉 This looks wonderful, espeically with the dumplings!
Oddly enough, we’re having really chilly weather this week, and rich, slow-cooked meals sound great to me! Those green onion buttermilk dumplings look fantastic.
Looks good! Does it come in a colder version? It’s 90 degrees today in Phoenix, so nice hot stew somehow just doesn’t tempt the tastebuds. I’ll wait until it cools down to 74 (!) and then give it a try.
Beef stew…that broth looks amazing! Perfect comfort food for the chilly nights ahead. Curious Question. Would you serve beer or wine with this stew? Gotta try this one, Ciao!
Jai: I think that either the same beer ya cooked with or a nice red wine like a Syrah or Zinfandel would go well with the stew. Or you could try one of each and judge for yourself. It sure would be fun to do a taste-test like that. 😉
I do a similar one with dumplings on top and it is so hearty and warming! 🙂
Looks so good! Love beer in stews, adds so much flavour!
This is an excellent way to use meat from the Chuck! It hadn’t occurred to me to use beer in stew, I just habitually use red wine. Next time, we’ll give this recipe a try. As for Sunset, it’s nice to see them back on the scene.
we love beef stew with beer…the flavor is deeper and more complex. Never tried stew with dumplings before…looks good!
that does look perfect for winter, and that dumpling looks huge!
I love adding beer to my stew too, it can work wonder…!!
I love anything that is cooked with beer or stout. Your stew looks amazing, Carolyn.
Wow, this sounds delicious, I have not cooked with beer like this and need to start now!
I too, have grown up with Sunset magazine. First at my Grandmas, then my moms, and now at my place, you can find it on the coffee table. I love the few Sunset Annuals that I have. This recipe sounds wonderful to make when the weather finally gets cold. (it’s what, in the 80’s today? In November? Sheesh).
Beer always enhance the flavor of stew. Dumplings and stew goes so well together. This dish looks splendid!
Having grown up in Dallas, I have never read Sunset Magazine, but if this is the sort of food that’s included, well, I might at the very least be getting the cookbook. This looks fantastic!
It’ amazing how beer will augment the flavors of a lot of dishes… we add it out our arroz con pollo and it’s just too good! your beef looks fabulously succulent! Nice to meet you via Rosa!
i just want to sink my teeth into that pillow of a dumpling! lovely work.
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