This is my version of Carbonnade a la Flamande or Belgian Beef Stew.  It was one of my favorite meals when my family and I visited Belgium in the summer of 2009.  It’s a hearty beef stew that in its native form consists mainly of beef and onions cooked in a beer broth.  The best ones I had in Belgium were made with either Kriek or Framboise – a cherry or raspberry flavored Lambic beer.

This recipe is based primarily on what appeared in The New Best Recipes from Cook’s Illustrated, but adapted for the slow cooker and made with the addition of carrots like Beef Bourguignon.  I also changed the meat to boneless short ribs and used the “correct” Belgian beer. (more…)