step 1
Roughly dice the Onion (1) and mince the Garlic (4 cloves).
step 2
Slice your Celery (3 stalks) into small pieces and either half or quarter the Mushrooms (10).
step 3
Generously season the Beef (2 lb) with Salt (to taste) and Ground Black Pepper (to taste).
step 4
Add Olive Oil (2 Tbsp) to a hot dutch oven/large pot. Brown the beef pieces on all sides in batches and once they're browned well, remove them with a slotted spoon and set them aside on a plate. Repeat until the beef is browned.
step 5
Add the diced onions to the same pot and sauté them for a couple minutes until they turn soft and translucent.
step 6
Add the garlic and sauté it for 2 minutes with the onions.
step 7
Add the chopped celery and mushrooms to the pot and sauté them for a couple minutes.
step 8
Next, add the Tomato Paste (2 Tbsp), Dried Thyme (1 tsp), and Dried Rosemary (1/2 tsp). Season the veggies with some Salt (to taste).
step 9
Give everything a good stir then add the beef back into the pot along with all those juices. Pour in the Guinness® Stout Beer (1 1/2 cups) and Beef Broth (2 cups) and bring the stew to a boil.
step 10
Measure in the Brown Sugar (3 Tbsp) and add Bay Leaf (1) to the stew then turn the heat down to a low simmer, cover the pot and let the stew slowly cook for about an hour.
step 11
After about an hour, add the diced Potatoes (2 cups) to the stew. Put the lid back on and give the stew another 30 minutes on low heat.
step 12
After the stew has simmered for 1.5 hours, mix All-Purpose Flour (2 Tbsp) in just enough water to dissolve it and stir it well to make sure there are no lumps. Bring the stew up to a rapid boil and slowly pour in the flour mix while stirring. It will start to thicken almost instantly.
step 13
Once the stew has reached the consistency you like, turn the heat off, add the Frozen Peas and Carrots (1 1/2 cups), and Fresh Parsley (1 handful).
step 14
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C ) and thaw the Puff Pastry (1 pckg) according to the instructions on the pack. Roll out the puff pastry to get rid of the fold creases. Measure out the dishes you're going to use and cut the pastry.
step 15
Fill the dishes with the stew and place a cut piece of puff pastry on top of each dish. Stretch the pastry gently and pinch it around the lip of the dish to prevent shrinkage during cooking.
step 16
Brush the pastry lightly with egg wash-an Egg (1) whisked with Water (1 Tbsp). Pop the pot pies in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the pastry turns golden and crispy.
step 17
After removing the pot pies from the oven, let them rest for 15 to 20 minutes before serving them, allowing the stew to cool a little.
