Cook Cook's Fiend Stew

The inspiration of this recipe came straight from the video game Fallout: New Vegas. I have, however, made a few changes to enhance its overall quality. This is a hearty, spicy, and very tasty stew that has gotten me through some rough times; the ingredients are all relatively cheap, healthy, and filling--ideal for the starving student type-- not that I'd expect anyone else to enjoy it any less. Serve, optionally, with a dollop of sour cream. This will keep in the fridge for 10 to 14 days, and reheats quite well.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 45 mins
• Total Time: 2 hr
• Calories: 357 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 jalapeno peppers
• 1 tablespoon oil, divided
• 2 large sweet Spanish onions, coarsely chopped
• 2 ½ pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons barbeque seasoning, to taste
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed, divided
• 3 pints beer, or as needed
• 3 large russet potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks, or more to taste
• 2 dashes liquid smoke flavoring, or to taste
• 2 (16 ounce) cans pinto beans, undrained

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat 1/2 of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Cover, reduce heat to low, and let onions continue cooking while continuing to next steps.

Step 2

Rub beef with barbeque seasoning.

Step 3

Add 2 garlic cloves to the onions. Increase heat and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer mixture to a large pot.

Step 4

Heat remaining oil in the same skillet. Sear beef chunks, in batches if necessary, until browned, about 7 minutes. Add to the pot with the onions. Pour in enough beer to cover the beef. Place lid on top and bring stew to a boil over medium-high heat. Add potatoes and liquid smoke; pour in remaining beer to cover potatoes. Cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Step 5

Pour beans, liquids included, into the stew. Smash jalapeno peppers with the flat side of a knife. Add to the stew, along with remaining garlic. Simmer until stew is thick and beef is tender enough to break apart with a spoon, 30 to 60 minutes. Add more beer if the liquid level falls below the main ingredients. Remove lid and simmer if the stew is too watery.