Flemish Beef and Beer Stew

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds boneless chuck or round steak, 1 inch-thick

1/4 pound bacon

4 mediums onions, sliced

1 cloves garlic, chopped

3 tablespoons flour

1 cup water

1 (12 or 16 oz) can light or dark beer

1 bay leaf

1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed

2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 tablespoon vinegar

snipped parsley

hot cooked noodles

Preparation

Cut beef into 1/2-inch slices; cut slices into 2-inch strips. (For ease in cutting, partially freeze beef about 1-1/2 hours.)

Cut bacon into 1/4-inch pieces; fry in Dutch oven until crisp. Remove bacon with slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Pour off fat and reserve. Cook and stir onions and garlic in 2 tablespoons of the reserved bacon fat until tender, about 10 minutes. Remove onions. Cook and stir beef in remaining bacon fat until brown, about 15 minutes. Stir in flour to coat beef; gradually stir in water. Add onions; beer, bay leaf, brown sugar, salt, thyme, and pepper.

Add just enough water to cover beef if necessary. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer until beef is tender, 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Remove bay leaf. Stir in vinegar; sprinkle with bacon and parsley. Serve with noodles.