Showing posts with label Beef. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beef. Show all posts

Thursday, 28 November 2013

Ingredients:
5 lbs prime beef, cubed & trimmed of fat
1 lb shallot, peeled
4 -6 garlic cloves, peeled & chopped finely
1 bunch fresh thyme
2 -4 bay leaves
750 ml Burgundy wine
1 -2 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb lardons, Smoked Bacon pieces
1/2 ounce dried cepes, soaked for 1 hr
6 -8 pieces dried orange peel, see method
1 tablespoon soft brown sugar
sea salt
fresh ground black pepper
1 -2 tablespoon cornflour, for thickening
2 tablespoons cognac
2 -4 sun-dried tomatoes, drained & chopped finely (optional)
1 (8 ounce) can chopped tomatoes (optional) 
 
Directions:

1 : Marinade the beef with the herbs, shallots & garlic over night in the bottle of red wine.
2 :Drain and put the wine to one side.
3 :In a large skillet or fryng pan, sear & brown the beef pieces over a high heat in the olive oil until nutty & brown. Do not overcrowd the pan!
4 :Place browned beef into the crock pot or cast iron Le Creuset Casserole Dish.
5 :Fry the lardons or chopped bacon pieces until crispy & golden brown. Drain & add to the beef.
6 :Brown the shallots & garlic in the bacon fat & add to the beef & bacon.
7 :Add all the other ingredients, except the cornflour, to the crock pot including the reserved wine.
8 :(Add the tinned tomatoes & sun dried tomatoes at this stage too if you are using them.).
9 :Cook on automatic or High for 4 hours and Low for up to 6 hours.
10 :(For conventional cooking - pre-heat oven to 175 degs C or 325 degs F or gas mark 3 and cook SLOWLY for approximately 4 to 6 hours; check towards the end, the meat should be extemely tender - you MUST not be tempted to cook it quicker, it will be tough!).
11 :Towards the end, blend & mix the cornflour with a couple of spoons of the stock in the crock pot & add to the beef, stirring well. It should not be TOO thick but just like a glaze or thickened jus. Add the cognac at this stage as well - sirring into the daube.
12 :Serve with Green Beans, Mashed, Steamed or Pureed Potatoes during the colder months OR with a selection of salads, crusty French bread & Pasta during the warmer months. The excess sauce can be used or saved as a fantastic gravy or stock later!
13 :THIS IS BETTER MADE 24 HOURS BEFORE EATING!
14 :Freezes beautifully - I always make a large batch and then freeze some.
15 :NOTE:If you cannot buy sun dried orange peel, make your own, it's VERY easy! Peel some oranges with a swivel head vegetable peeler or parer, be careful not to peel the pith. Spread outside on a rack in the full sun and leave to dry for about 2-4 hours. Weather permitting of course - otherwise dry in an airing cupboard or a very LOW oven overnight.Store in an airtight jar for up to 2 years.
16 :If you are really stuck - just grate some fresh orange peel into the daube, it will not have the same intensity as dried peel, but it will work!

Friday, 22 November 2013

Ingredients

Beef 500 gm (lean cut strips)
Sesame oil 3 tbsp
BBQ sauce 1 cup
Red capsicum 1 (thinly sliced)

Cooking Directions

  1. Marinade beef with bbq sauce for 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
  2. Heat oil in a pan add marinade beef and cook for 4 minutes on medium temperature then reduce heat. Cook until meat tender.
  3. Now add capsicum, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. Serve immediately.