The Liam has landed

After six days, almost 900 miles and more food  than anyone should be expected to eat, alethea_eastrid and I are safely home in Salem, NY.

The cats seem pleased.

Guinness-Cheese stew for New Year's

This is Jaji's recipe:

It is amazing.

3-4 lb beef, roasted (ie leftovers!) and cut into chunks
2-4 whole cloves garlic
approx 1.5 lb cheddar cheese cubes
3 pressurized cans Guinness or other stout (Murphy's, Beamish, etc), room temperature but unopened
2 small yellow onions, diced (optional)
Salt and pepper

-Put cooked beef chunks and garlic into pot, adding just enough water to almost cover
-Bring to boil, and simmer for about 20 minutes. Add more water a little at a time to keep from running dry.
-Remove meat from water and let cool, then pull apart if possible or cut into very small pieces. Discard any visible fat.
-Return meat to broth in pot and slowly add stout, foam and all. If adding onions, do so with this step.
-Bring to a boil, then set on lowest heat or place in crock pot on medium high setting.
-Add cheese cubes and stir to mix in.
-If simmering on stovetop, simmer for about 1 hour, stirring frequently.
-If using crock pot, after the initial stir, let alone for 1 or two hours then stir before serving
-Add salt & pepper to taste before serving.

NOTE: Even if you skim the broth ahead of time, the cheese will cause a layer of fat to form on top. Skim or not, your choice. This will get VERY hot, so eat carefully. My tongue is still a little sensitive from trying this soup yesterday!