HEARTY BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Cut meat into 1-inch cubes.
• Cook bacon until crisp and browned. Transfer to plate using slotted spoon.
• Add vegetable oil to Dutch oven and heat; add meat and brown in batches.; Transfer to a plate. Add carrots and onions; cook for 5 minutes. Add garlic and thyme; cook for 1 minute.
• Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring often. Deglaze pot with beef broth, stirring to scrape up bits from bottom of pan. Add whiskey, beef and bacon; bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cover and place in oven., Bake for an additional hour or until beef and potatoes are tender.
• Combine remaining flour and 1 tablespoon of the butter until smooth. Remove Dutch oven from oven and stir in flour mixture.
• In a medium sauté pan, melt remaining butter and sauté mushrooms, about 10 minutes until golden brown. Add to stew. Transfer stew to stovetop, bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer for about 10 minutes or until thickened.
• Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.