Wednesday, 10 October 2012

not ready for it


Now winter is well and truly on its way, I am starting to crave warm, homely meals. This is a very easy and simple recipe for a beef stew, which meets the bill perfectly  - sometimes simply really is best. Its the sort of thing you can throw together after work with minimum effort, but tastes amazing and definitely satisfies my craving for comfort food. You can substitute the beef for lamb if you prefer!

You will need:
Diced beef
Bacon
1 Onion
Mushrooms
Tsp dijon mustard
Garlic puree
Tomato puree
Red wine or beer
1 beef stock cubes

This makes enough for two people, or three smaller portions! I haven't put quantities of beef, bacon or mushrooms as this is really up to you. I used a 400g pack of diced beef, 2 large mushrooms and about 4 rashers of bacon. You can use as much or as little of these as you like, or as much as you have in your cupboards! 


Start by chopping an onion, your bacon and mushrooms and fry them off with a little oil in a casserole dish on a medium heat. Once the onion has browned and the bacon is cooked, add the beef (or lamb), cook until the meat is browned. 

Then, add a good glug (technical term) of red wine - use as much or as little as you like - and the mustard, garlic puree and tomato puree. Obviously you can use real garlic if you prefer (chop and fry with the bacon, onion and mushrooms) I just use puree as I'm lazy! You can use beer instead of wine if you prefer; my Mum often uses a bottle of ale. 

Stir it all together and cover with water, adding a beef stock cube if necessary - you may not need it. You don't want it to be overly salty! Bring to the boil and then turn down to simmer and put the lid on. You should leave the stew to simmer on a low heat for about an hour, until the stock has reduced. You still want some liquid however, but it should reduce to be thicker and less watery. 

Serve with mashed potato and steamed green veg. Enjoy!

Close your eyes and imagine yourself here...
all images from Pinterest
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12 comments

  1. Amazing photos and blog!

    I've just started out and you're huge inspiration how well you've done!

    www.kellyjade.co.uk

    XXX

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  2. I'm amazed how you cook and photograph. I'm such a terrible chef, I'd end up dropping the camera in the stew. Looks lusho though. Cook for me soon please! xx

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  3. Your mustard pot is blowing my mid, it's amazing! This looks delicious I want to make more stews so this is going straight in the recipe book. Omnomnom. The pics are so cosy as well, one day I'll have an aga, one day...xxxx

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  4. I LOVE beef stew in the winter and this looks amazing!

    Maria xxx

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  5. Love beef stew. This looks delicious, I crave homely food when autumn arrives too. xx

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  6. I love stew but my fella likes it dead watery rather than thick and gets upset when I do it thick =( Yours sounds lovely.
    xx

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  7. This looks good! Comfort food like this is so nice this time of year xx

    Kerry x
    http://kerry-runninginheels.blogspot.co.uk/

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  8. This sounds so yummy, I feel the same about winter warmers now it's cold :)
    Daniella x

    http://daniella-r.blogspot.co.uk/

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  9. Sounds delicious! I need to make a serious beef stew soon! And yes, I would like to live in those pictures :)

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  10. I'm going to give this a go! xx

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  11. Oh that dog...he's adorable.
    I love stews...shoving them in the slow cooker and coming home to the cooked stew smell wafting through the house epitomises Autumn!

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  12. This looks loveeeely! I will definitely be trying this out

    Amiee

    http://traveltastewear.blogspot.com/

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