IRISH STYLE BEER STEW

This recipe has quite a few steps to it but the gravy tastes so good that it makes it all worth the extra time! Make sure you have a lot of bread to dip in.
I used Yves "beef veggie tenders" the last time for a change but I personally like Gardein "beef-less tips" better. Either works, it's a question of personal taste.

IRISH STYLE BEER STEW

Ingredients

2 packages *Gardein beef-less tips (255g/9oz each) or Yves "beef veggie tenders"
1+1+1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup flour (I like whole wheat)
1 large red onion cut in half and sliced thin
2 garlic cloves minced
2 large carrots sliced
1 pack of mushrooms (227g-7 1/2oz) sliced thick
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 cups red lager beer
2 cups **vegan beef bouillon
1 tablespoon Tomato paste
1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
1 tablespoon cornstarch mix with 1 tablespoon of water
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon parsley
1 pinch cayenne pepper
2 bay leaves
1/4 cup ***vegan sour cream
Pepper



Preparation

Preheat oven to 375 F (190 c)
Put flour in a bowl, coat "beef" chunks with flour and cook in a pan over med high heat with 1 Tablespoon of oil until golden, set aside.

In the same pan, with another tablespoon of oil, sauté the onion and garlic over medium heat until translucent. Set aside.

In a large heavy bottom pot, cook brown sugar and vinegar under high heat for 1 min.
Add the beer, broth, tomato paste, mustard and carrots. Bring to boil. Turn off the heat, add the Cornstarch mix with water, the reserved beef and onion mixture and place in the oven, covered. Cook for 45 minutes or until vegetables are cooked.

Meanwhile in a pan, sauté the sliced mushrooms with the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil over med-high heat until golden. Add to the stew 10 minutes before end of cooking time.

When the stew is ready, remove from the oven, add the vegan sour cream, mix well, pepper to taste and serve over mashed potatoes (optional).

This will make 6 servings


Bon appetit!


*For the beef chunks I like to use "Gardein beef-less tips" (my favorite)www.gardein.com
or "Yves beef veggie tenders" www.yvesveggie.com
**For the vegan beef bouillon, I like "Better than bouillon" by superior touch www.superiortouch.com or "Not beef bouillon" by Edward and son www.edwardandsons.com
***For the vegan sour cream I like "Better than sour cream" (my favorite) by Tofutti www.tofutti.com
or "Follow your heart sour cream alternative" www.followyourheart.com



All of the above can also be found at most natural stores, including whole foods.