Slow Cooker Dubliner Stew - St. Patricks Day

Happy St. Patricks Day !!! 

Even if you aren't Irish, you can't go through St. Patrick's Day without having an Irish meal.  And....that hearty meal will end up being a good base for all that stout, guinness or irish whiskey that might also find its way to your stomach.   Here is a terrific recipe that I've used in the past from the Slow Cooker cookbook. Great hearty stew and loaded with flavour.

You will need a 6-7 quart crockpot.

Ingredients:

12 to 14 baby carrots (small package should do)

14 to 16 small potatoes (dutch or yellow baby potatoes will work)

1/4 cup olive oil

3 lbs Beef or Lamb (use sirloin beef - trim any fat....or use lamb shoulder - trim fat)
  -- cut the beef or lamb into 1 inch chunks

1-1/2 tsp salt (I use kosher or sea salt)

1/2 tsp black pepper (fresh grind is best)

2 cups pearl onions (can be frozen).  (If no pearl onions, cut 2 medium onions into small chunks)

1-1/2 cups chicken broth

1 cup beef broth

1 tsp dried thyme

2 cups frozen peas (defrost in bag)

2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

2 tbsp all purpose flour

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Sprinkle beef or lamb with salt and pepper and brown on all sides - adding pieces at a time.  Save the skillet.
2. Put carrots and potatoes in the bottom of the crock pot and add your browned meat on top.
3. Add your onions to the skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes - just until the onions begin to change colour.  Add chicken broth to the onions and scrape any brown parts (those are the best parts).  Add contents of the skillet to the crock pot.
4. Add beef broth and thyme.
5. Cover and cook for 7 to 8 hours on low.  If you are in a hurry, you can do it for 3-4 hours on high (note: meat will be a little tougher).
6. Once your time is up, skim any fat off the top of the mixture in the crock pot.  Stir in the peas. 
7. Mix your butter and floor until it is a smooth paste and add a bit at a time into the stew.
8. Cover and cook for another 30 minutes on high - until the sauce is thickened.
9. Serve with Irish Soda Bread or a dipping bread of your choice.