Hot Summer Reading and beef recipe.

Strange things start to happen and throw in December 21, 2012, a solar cataclysm, a missing ancient Egyptian necklace, the CIA, Middle Eastern terrorists, and it’s a lot more than Verne bargained for when he left his high-powered Wall Street position to purchase the course. Luckily, two aspiring beer cart girls are determined to help him straighten out this mess and, in the process, for a few believers, help save the world.

Slow Cooker Beef and Beer

• 3 to 4 pounds top sirloin roast
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 large potatoes, cut in 1 to 2-inch cubes
• 2 medium carrots, sliced
• 2 ribs celery, sliced
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 large Vidalia onion, chopped, 1 1/2 to 2 cups
• 1 can (10 1/2 ounces) condensed beef broth
• 1 can beer

Preparation

Trim the roast and cut into bite-size pieces. In a food storage bag, combine the flour, paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 tsp coriander, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Add the beef cubes and toss to coat.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook, stirring, for about 4 to 5 minutes, until browned.
Put potatoes, carrots, and celery in the slow cooker; top with half of the onions. Sprinkle with remaining salt, pepper, and coriander. Top with the browned beef then the remaining onions.
Combine the condensed soup and beer; pour half the beer into the hot pan and scrape up any browned bits. Pour the pan contents and remaining beer and broth mixture over the beef.

Cover and cook on LOW heat for 8 to 10 hours, or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.
Serves 6 to 8.

While this cooks slowly, you will 

have plenty of time to read the book!