By Rheanna Kish and The Test Kitchen

  • 1-1 1/2-peeled and cubed potatoes
  • 1 lb (454 g) carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped
  • 1 lb (454 g) parsnips, peeled and coarsely chopped
  • 2 ribs celery, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) dried thyme
  • 3/4 tsp (4 mL) salt
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) pepper
  • 3 lb (1.4 kg) stewing beef cubes
  • 4 strips thick-sliced bacon, chopped
  • 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) Stout beer
  • 3/4 cup (175 mL) sodium-reduced beef broth
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/3 cup (75 mL) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (250 mL) frozen peas
    Preparation:
    In slow cooker, combine potatoes, carrots, parsnips, celery, onion, bay leaves, thyme, salt and pepper. Top with beef and bacon.

Whisk together stout, broth, 1/2 cup water and Worcestershire sauce; pour over beef. Cover and cook on low until beef and vegetables are tender, 7 to 8 hours. Discard bay leaves.

Whisk flour with 1 cup of the cooking liquid until smooth; whisk into slow cooker. Stir in peas; cook, covered, on high until thickened, about 30 minutes.