BEEF STEW WITH BUTTERMILK DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, toss beef with 3 Tbsp flour, 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
• In a large pot over medium high heat 1 Tbsp vegetable oil. Add enough beef to pot to form only a single layer (don't overcrowd the pot) brown beef on all sides (takes around 7 mins per batch). Transfer to a large bowl. Brown remaining batches of beef in 2 batches.
• Add 1 bottle of ale to pot scraping brown bits with a wooden spoon. Pour ale over reserved beef and return empty pot to med-high heat.
• Add remaining Tbsp oil to pot. Add onions and 2 tsp salt, cook stirring often, until onions are transparent and turn a golden color (takes about 20 mins).
• Remove lid, raise heat to med-high heat. Stir in 3 Tbsp flour, and cook 3 mins stirring often.
• Add mushrooms, reserved beef and ale, remaining bottle of ale, and carrots. Bring to a boil. Cover and lower heat to a gentle simmer. Cook stirring occassionally, until the beef is tender (around 3 hours).
• Dumplings:.
• Start to make these about 40 mins before serving-.
• In a medium bowl stir together remaining 2 cups of flour, 3/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp baking soda.
• Using a pastry blender or your fingers work cold butter into flour mixture until it resembles cornmeal with pea sized pieces. In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg.
• Gently fold wet ingredients into dry. Mix until a very shaggy dough forms. If more liquid is needed, add additional buttermilk 1 tbsp at a time.
• Gently form dough into 12 equal balls and drop into bubbling hot stew. Cover pot and cook 20-30 mins or until the dumplings are fluffy and cooked through.
• Let sit 15 minutes before serving. Stew thickens as it cools.