I've tried twice now to make a beef stew to my satisfaction. my first attempt turned out yummy and thick, but I didn't like the after taste. t'was an Irish Stew that called for stout beer. *shudder* I love beer (a little too much) but I like the watered down fakey light beers, not that heavy bullshit. sooooo....

attempt number two I made the mistake of doing in the crockpot. FABULOUS flavor....thin as water. I even tried adding cornstarch, but the crockpot cooks on too low a heat, I think, to thicken up a lot.

tonight? I am trying my own mishmash of those two recipes, and I'm beyond excited. maybe I'll get it right this time! I think I'll even try some cornbread muffins to go with. (gives me a good excuse to use my new muffin pans!)