Beef Casserole Delia Smith Recipes

BEEF & VEGETABLE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3 and put the kettle on.
• Put 2 thickly sliced celery sticks, 1 chopped onion, 2 chunkily sliced carrots, 5 bay leaves and 1 whole thyme sprig in a flameproof casserole dish with 1 tbsp vegetable oil and 1 tbsp butter.
• Soften for 10 mins, then stir in 2 tbsp plain flour until it doesn't look dusty anymore, followed by 2 tbsp tomato purée, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce and 2 crumbled beef stock cubes.
• Gradually stir in 600ml hot water, then tip in 850g stewing beef and bring to a gentle simmer.
• Cover and put in the oven for 2hrs 30 mins, then uncover and cook for 30mins - 1hr more until the meat is really tender and the sauce is thickened.
• Garnish with the picked leaves of the remaining thyme sprig.

BEEF CARBONNADE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 150°C/130°C fan/gas 2. Heat a splash of olive oil in a hob-proof casserole (with a lid) and fry the lardons for a few minutes until starting to crisp and release their oil. Add the sliced onions and stir to coat, then fry gently for 10 minutes until softened.
• Meanwhile, heat a splash more oil in a large frying pan. Working in batches, brown the beef all over, then set aside on a plate (see tips). Stir the flour into the onions, then add the beef and any juices, the garlic, tomato purée, mustard, beer, 400ml stock (add a little more if the meat isn't covered), herbs and sugar. Bring up to a simmer, then cover with the lid and cook in the oven for 2½-3 hours until the meat is tender.
• Remove the bay leaves and thyme, then serve with extra mustard, fries and/or crusty bread for mopping up the gravy.

BEEF OLIVES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 175C.
• Fry the onions, garlic, mushrooms until soft. Add to the raw bacon and set aside.
• Place the beef on a flat surface and beat with a rolling pin or food hammer until very thin (approx 1cm thick). Spread each beef slice with the mustard. Fill with the prepared stuffing.
• Cut the leek in half and blanche for 30 seconds in boiling water/cold water so that the leek is stringy. Cut the leek in thin strips long ways.
• Roll the beef slices over the stuffing and use the leek strings to secure the beef. Fry the beef on all sides until brown and place in an oven proof dish.
• Fry the remaining onion, carrot and celery in a pan for 5 minutes. Add passatta, red wine and beef stock and stir. Pour over the beef olives and cook in the oven with a lid on for 3 hours.
• Remove the beef olives from the dish and keep warm. Blend the remaining sauce until no lumps remain. Served with seasonal vegetables.