Classic Belgian beef stew (stoverij) with fries

Ingredients

• 1.2 kg beef for stewing (sukadelappen or riblappen)
• 3 large onions, sliced into half-moons
• 330 ml dark Belgian beer (e.g. Leffe Bruin or Westmalle)
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 slices day-old brown bread
• 3 bay leaves
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 25 g butter
• 2 tbsp sunflower oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1.5 kg starchy potatoes (for fries)
• Frying fat or sunflower oil (for frying)
• Mayonnaise, to serve

Instructions

1. 1

   Cut the beef into roughly 4 cm cubes and pat them dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.Heat a splash of sunflower oil in the Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the meat in batches on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Set the seared meat aside on a plate.Add the butter to the same pan and cook the sliced onions over low heat until translucent, about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir regularly so they don't burn.Return the meat to the pan. Pour in the dark beer and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan — that's where the flavor is.Add the brown sugar, vinegar, thyme, bay leaves and mustard. Spread the mustard on the slices of brown bread and place them mustard-side down on top of the meat. That helps thicken the stew as it simmers.Bring everything to a gentle boil, reduce the heat to low and set the lid slightly ajar. Let it simmer for 2.5 to 3 hours on low heat. Stir occasionally and check there's enough liquid in the pan.Meanwhile, make the fries. Peel the potatoes and cut them into even sticks about 1 cm thick. Rinse them under cold water and pat them thoroughly dry.Heat the frying fat in the fryer to 160°C. Blanch the fries in batches for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove them and drain on paper towels. This is the first fry.Increase the frying fat to 180°C. Fry the fries again in batches for 2 to 3 minutes until golden and crispy. Sprinkle with salt immediately after frying.Taste the stoverij and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper or a splash of vinegar if needed. Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs before serving.Ladle the stoverij into deep plates and serve with a large portion of fries alongside. Put a jar of mayonnaise on the table and enjoy.