Betty’s Irish Beef Stew

My mom always stepped up to the plate and took on a challenge. Always! She had grit and I loved her for it. I miss my mom. One way to feel close to her now is to pull out her hand-written recipes. Warms my heart and brings back so many memories.

Dad insisted to believe he was 100% Irish and told everyone he was, with a twinkle in his eyes. The facts were that his grandparents, the Shannon’s, did come from Ireland. And yes, he did come from an Irish Catholic heritage. So….when it came time for St. Patrick’s Day, my mom hunted for recipes to please my father. You know, to make him feel 100% “emerald green”. This recipe is one of them. Our family of 6 loved Mom’s Irish Stew. And Mom fixed this hearty, delicious, nutritious, inexpensive stew most every year, if my memory holds true.

Late morning found me with many errands to run, so rather than stewing the meat in a pot on the stove-top, I dropped the frozen beef stewing meat into the crock pot and left home. At about 3’oclock I returned to find the meat cooked through and tender. At that point I transferred the meat into a pot, added a couple quarts of water and tossed in all the rest.

Once the veggies were cooked through, our Irish stew simmered until suppertime. Here’s the really good part. I thickened the broth with a corn-starch base. I think Mom told me it made it more of an “authentic” Irish stew. Who really knows? 🙂

Mr. Farmer and I had plans for the evening so rather than to make up a biscuit recipe from scratch, I took a shortcut and opened a can of Pillsbury flaky biscuits; baked them atop the thickened stew for 20 minutes. And….Walla! I have to tell you, Mr. Farmer told me it was a delicious supper. 🙂 Now that’s what I love to hear.

A few years ago my brother, Craig and sister-in-law, Kay invited Jenny and me to tour Ireland on our way to a Swedish wedding. I will never forget the beauty and serenity of the beautiful Emerald Ilse. I’ve decided I’m pretty much Irish, too, especially after having another helping of mom’s terrific recipe.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Be sure to look up all you can about this great saint, Saint Patrick. He loved Jesus and wanted to tell the entire island about His awesome Savior. You’ll be surprised at all he went through. His story would make an Oscar winning movie, I’m certain.

Matthew 28:18-20

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'”