In the Middle Ages drinking unboiled water was risky. The Alternative to water was .... beer. This tipple contains alcohol and hops, which protects it against going off and stops people from getting ill. Beer isn't only a popular refreshing tipple, but is a great ingredient of many dishes.

I know people who think that beer in a dish is a waste, but we won't listen to them, because we know that a pork knuckle or crepes with beer gives us a really inimitable taste. Today, I would like to share with you the recipe for a beef stew with beer. I use Guinness, but you may use your favourite one.

Ingredients:
0.5kg of beef for the stew
200ml of Guinness
1 onion
2 cloves of garlic
400g of small mushrooms
2 tomatoes
half a chili pepper
3 tablespoons of oil
2 tablespoons of butter
2 tablespoons of flour
2 bay leaves
3 juniper berries
salt and pepper

Spice the cubed beef with pepper and sprinkle with flour. Fry it in oil at a high temperature. Put the meat into a saucepan with a thick bottom. Don't clean the pan. Melt the butter in the pan and fry the sliced onion, garlic and diced chili pepper. Add the small mushrooms and fry for a while. Add the vegetables to the meat. Add the bay leaves, juniper berries and pour in the beer. Top up with water or bullion to cover the meat. Stew until the meat is soft. Blanch the tomatoes and peel them. Remove the core and cube the rest. Add it to the stew. Spice it up with salt and pepper.

Enjoy your meal!

Try also:
Beef cutlets
Pork stew with ajvar
Memories from Spain – chorizo with chickpeas