Slow-Cooker Steak and Guinness Pie

By Fresh2

by Juli Roberts

This simple version of the classic Irish dish has the distinctive bitter flavor of Guinness stout. Although it’s slow-cooked, the hearty beef stew requires minimal prep time. When it’s ready, the puff pastry “tops” are baked separately and served alongside.Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1-1/8 oz. (1/4 cup) all-purpose flour; more for rolling
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 lb. boneless beef chuck, trimmed of excess fat, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 large carrots, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
• 1 large yellow onion, coarsely chopped
• 3 large cloves garlic, minced
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 (12-oz.) bottle Guinness (or other stout)
• 1 cup lower-salt beef broth
• 2 large russet potatoes (about 1-1/2 lb.), washed and cut into 1-inch cubes
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (about 9 oz.), thawed overnight in the refrigerator

Preparation

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the flour, 2 tsp. salt, and 1 tsp. pepper. Toss the beef in the flour mixture to coat. Transfer the mixture (including excess flour) to a 6-quart slow cooker and then add the carrots, onion, garlic, and thyme. Slowly pour in the Guinness and then stir in the beef broth. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Add the potatoes and continue cooking until the meat and the potatoes are fork-tender, about 1 hour more.

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 375°F. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with the cooking spray. On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry sheet into a 10x14-inch rectangle. Put it on the prepared baking sheet and bake until golden-brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from the oven, let cool slightly on a rack, and cut into quarters.

To serve, lay the puff pastry quarters in 4 wide, shallow bowls and spoon the stew over the pastry.