Brown Brew Stew {Sausage, Cabbage, Potatoes... and Beer!}

This stew never lasts long when I make it. But that's okay, because when you do the math, this stew is incredibly cheap to make! Not only is it cheap - but the taste is out of this world. It's savory. It's delectable. It's made in a crockpot. What else could you ask for?

Brown Brew Stew
Sausage, cabbage, potatoes... and beer!

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (14 ounce) package beef smoked sausage, cut into bite-size slices
2 tablespoons onion powder
½ head small cabbage, halved again, cored and thinly sliced
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon fennel
A pinch of salt
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or 2 tablespoons pre-chopped garlic
1 cup brown ale (we use Bell's Best Brown Ale)
2 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed to bite-size pieces
2 ½ cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar


You'll also need...
A crockpot, cutting board, frying pan among other utensils.


Directions:

1) Cut your sausage into bite sized pieces. You'll also want to get your frying pan going with the tablespoon of olive oil.

yes, I used a steak knife. ha!

2) Get the pan hot. Add 1 tablespoon of onion powder to the oil. You're going to want to sear the sides of the sausage and nothing more - anything more and your sausage will dry out in the crockpot.

before...

after!

3) Remove that pan from heat. You can add the sausage and the dripping to the crock. Chop your cabbage and add to crock as well. Mix the sausage and cabbage.

4) Next, add the pepper, fennel, pinch or so of salt, the garlic, and the other tablespoon of onion powder. Stir to combine.

yum.

5) Add your chopped and peeled potatoes, the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar and the beer. We used Bell's Best Brown Ale.

 6) Now, let it cook for at least 4 hours on high. This will mellow out the strong beer smell, as well as the ACV.

The cabbage reduces, the potatoes cooked through, and the aroma fills the house. Time to eat! Enjoy!