CARBONNADE A LA FLAMANDE (BELGIAN BEEF, BEER, AND ONION STEW)

Steps:

• 1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position; heat oven to 300 degrees. 2. Dry beef thoroughly with paper towels, then season generously with kosher salt and pepper. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium-high heat; add beef and brown well. (May need to do this in 2 batches so beef can be browned in single layer.) Transfer browned beef to medium bowl. 3. Add 1 T butter to pan and saute mushrooms until browned and tender. Remove and set aside with the beef. 4. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to Dutch oven; reduce heat to medium-low. Add onions, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and tomato paste; cook, scraping bottom of pot with wooden spoon to loosen browned bits, until onions are lightly browned. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add flour and stir until onions are evenly coated and flour is lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Stir in broths, scraping pan bottom to loosen browned bits; stir in beer, thyme, bay leaves, vinegar, browned beef with any accumulated juices, mushrooms and salt and pepper to taste. (Carrots, too.) Increase heat to medium-high and bring to full boil, stirring occasionally; cover partially, then place pot in oven. Cook until fork inserted into beef meets little resistance, about 2 to 2- 1/2 hours. (I think I cooked my stew closer to 3 hours, until meat was super tender and the sauce was well-thickened ..I also stirred it occasionally while it was in the oven). 5. Discard bay leaves. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper to taste and serve. I served the stew over mashed potatoes. Creamy, dreamy, marvelous mashed potatoes Good grief. I dare you not to lick your plate. Serve with salad.