St. Brigid's "Lake of Beer" Stew

"I would like a great lake of beer For the King of Kings. I would like to be watching heaven’s family drinking it through all eternity." - St. Brigid of Kildare

 Saint Brigid of Kildare's comments about a lake of beer in heaven are probably her most quoted quotes! She is the patron of Ireland after all, (in addition to St. Patrick of course.) Learn more about St. Brigid of Kildare here.

The adults can celebrate today's feast day with the appropriate beverage, but this recipe is something that the whole family can enjoy. Its a hearty beef stew that would go great with some Irish soda bread. Its made in a slow cooker so you can start it the night before or in the morning!

 

 

  

Ingredients:
1 lb beef stew meat
approx 5 carrots, or 1 small bag baby carrots
approx 3 parsnips
4-5 yukon gold potatoes
1 bottle vegetable juice (like V8)
1 bottle of your favorite beer
flour, salt, and pepper.

*Note - We have a pretty big crockpot, so adjust amount of ingredients accordingly. Feel free to add in or exchange any of your favorite vegetables. Some that would work well would be rutabagas, onions, mushrooms, and even winter squash or sweet potatoes.

1.  Toss the stew meat in flour that's been seasoned with the salt and pepper. Shake of the excess and brown the meat in a pan that's been lightly coated with oil. Don't cook the meat all the way through, just sear it on the outside. Set aside.

2. Cut the vegetables into appropriate sized chunks.

3. Put the meat and vegetables in your slow cooker and pour in the vegetable juice and beer. This is a good time to add in any seasonings you might like. For me, if I add anything else, its usually just a bay leaf.

4. Turn the slow cooker on low and let it cook for approximately 6-8 hours. 

Enjoy!


 - For instructions on how to weave a St. Brigid Cross,  go to  http://catholicicing.com/2012/01/how-to-make-a-st-brigids-cross-with-kids/