Beef And Ale Stew With A Savory Crust Food

BEEF & ALE STEW

Steps:

• If using the oven to cook the stew, preheat it to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4.
• Put a large shallow ovenproof casserole pan on a medium heat with 2 tablespoons of oil.
• Trim the celery, wash the carrots, peel the onions, then roughly chop it all about the same size as your beef chunks, adding the veg to the pan as you go.
• Season the veg with sea salt and black pepper, and fry for 10 minutes, or until softened and starting to caramelise, stirring occasionally.
• Strip in the rosemary leaves, stir in the flour for 2 minutes, then pour in the booze and let it cook away.
• Pour in the tomatoes, breaking them up with the back of the spoon. Fill the tin with water, swirl around, and pour into the pan.
• Bring just to the boil, then stir in the meat, season, and cover. Either simmer slowly on the hob or place in the oven for 2 hours, or until the meat falls apart easily.
• Taste the stew and tweak the seasoning, if needed, then serve with rice or mashed potato, and some lovely veggies, or check out the topping ideas below.

BEEF AND ALE STEW

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C or 150°C for fan ovens).
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil or butter over medium heat in a large lidded casserole that will go from the stove to the oven (or use a large frying pan for the stove top part and then transfer the mixture to a casserole before putting it in the oven).
• Gently fry the onion in the oil or melted butter, stirring often. Sprinkle with a bit of salt to prevent it browning to quickly. You just want the onion to soften.
• Add the remaining oil or butter to the pan and when it has melted in, add the cubed pieces of meat. Brown the meat gently, turning it so that the red colour disappears on all sides.
• Lower the heat and sprinkle the meat and onions with the flour.
• Stir in the flour and cook for a moment or two.
• Stir in the ale, followed by ¾ cup of the beef stock. Reserve the remaining ¼ cup of beef stock.
• Cook for a moment or two.
• If you are using a frying pan transfer the mixture very carefully to an oven safe casserole now. Be careful not to burn yourself.
• Stir in the carrots, along with a good grinding of pepper.
• Tuck the bay leaf in under the liquid, cover the casserole and put it in the oven. Set the timer for half an hour.
• When the timer goes off, carefully remove the casserole from the oven.
• Remove the lid and stir. There should be a good amount of liquid in the pan at this point. If not, add some of the remaining stock.
• Cover the casserole and return it to the oven for an hour.
• Remove the casserole from the oven once again.
• Remove the bay leaf, being careful not to burn yourself.
• Take a spoonful of the gravy and place it in a little bowl to cool.
• Meanwhile, check the thickness of the gravy. If it has not thickened up, mix a tablespoon of cornflour (corn starch) with 1 tablespoon of water and then stir it into the casserole. If it is too thick (this is unlikely but it does happen sometimes), add the remaining stock.
• Taste the spoonful of gravy you set aside earlier, being careful as it still may be hot. Add salt and pepper to the casserole to taste.
• Cover the casserole and return it to the oven for about fifteen minutes or up to half an hour.
• Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest with the lid on for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Serve the Beef and Ale Stew garnished with the parley.

THE BEST BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 275 degrees F. Tie the parsley, thyme, rosemary and bay leaves together with kitchen twine.
• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook the beef in a single layer spaced about an inch apart, turning a few times, until the pieces are browned on at least three sides, 8 to 10 minutes per batch. As the beef finishes browning, transfer to a large plate.
• Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender and beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Add the carrots and celery and continue to cook until they are brightly colored and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Stir in the wine, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot, and cook until it evaporates, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle the vegetables with the flour, stir to evenly coat them and cook for 1 minute. Add the broth, potatoes, tomatoes and the reserved beef with any accumulated juices. Season with 3 tablespoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Add the herb bundle and bring the stew to a simmer.
• Cover the pot and then transfer to the oven. Bake until the beef is tender but still holds its shape, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Let the stew cool for 30 minutes before serving. Discard the herb bundle and serve topped with chopped parsley.

BEEF & STOUT STEW

Steps:

• Heat oven to 170C/150C fan/gas 3. Put a large non-stick, flameproof casserole dish on a high heat and add 1 tbsp oil. Season the beef and brown in batches until well coloured on both sides, making sure you don't overcrowd the dish. Remove each batch and set aside on a plate.
• Add the remaining oil to the pan and lower the heat to medium. Toss in the onions and cook for about 10 mins until softened and golden brown. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for 1-2 mins.
• Add the stout and stir well to deglaze the pan, scraping up any sticky bits. Return the beef to the pan, pour in the stock and add the thyme. Bring to the boil, then put the lid on and cook for 1½ hrs.
• Add the mushrooms to the casserole, stir well and return to the oven for a further 1½ hrs.
• Season to taste and stir in half the chopped parsley. Scatter over the remaining parsley to finish and serve with mash, if you like.

HEARTY BEEF STEW WITH RED ONIONS AND ALE

Steps:

• Season the beef all over with salt and pepper. Set aside while you prepare the onions.
• Peel the onions. Cut 2 of them in half root to stem, then thinly slice them crosswise into half-moons. Cut the third onion, root to stem, into 1/2-inch wedges.
• Dust the beef cubes lightly with flour. Heat butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a large Dutch oven or other pot over medium-high. Add beef, in batches taking care not to crowd the pan, and sear until it's good and dark all over, 5 to 6 minutes per batch. Transfer beef cubes to a bowl as they brown. Add more oil and adjust heat if necessary to prevent burning.
• Stir in sliced onions and raise heat to medium-high if you lowered it. Cook until pale golden brown and soft, 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant and lightly golden at the edges, 2 to 3 minutes longer.
• Make a well in the center of the onions, then stir in tomato paste, coriander and allspice; cook, stirring until paste is darkened, 1 minute. Stir in stock, ale, 1 cup water and rosemary sprig. Return beef and any juices to the pot and bring to a simmer. Partly cover the pot and simmer gently for 45 minutes.
• Give the beef a stir, then add onion wedges. Simmer for 15 minutes, then stir in carrots and continue to simmer until the meat, onions and carrots are tender, 30 to 45 minutes longer.
• If the sauce seems thin, use a slotted spoon to transfer meat and vegetables to a platter; cover with foil to keep warm. Discard the rosemary. Return pot with liquid to stove and simmer until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in vinegar. Taste and add more salt and vinegar if you like. Spoon sauce over meat and garnish with chives, flaky sea salt and more black pepper.

BRITISH BEEF AND ALE PIE

Steps:

• Mix flour and seasoning in a shallow bowl.
• Coat beef on all sides (if roast is large, cut in 2 or 3 pieces so it fits in crock pot). Toss out remaining flour mixture.
• Brown the beef on all sides, remove.
• Rough chop onions and garlic and add to the pan, heating until soft.
• Place beef, carrots, onions/garlic, ale and beef stock in crock pot and cook on high for 6-8 hours until it falls apart easily.
• Remove beef and vegetables from crock pot, reserving liquids. Pull beef into shreds, removing any fat or undesirable pieces.
• Melt butter in a large saute pan, and cook the mushrooms.
• Remove 3 cups of liquid from the crock pot and wisk in 1/4 cup flour until smooth. Add to saute pan and cook until sauce thickens. Add beefy mushroom soup. Add beef and vegetables. Maintain on low to keep warm.
• Prepare puff pastry as directed on the package, baking until risen and golden.
• Spoon beef mixture in individuals crocks/bowls and top with a single serving of puff pastry.

PROPER BEEF, ALE & MUSHROOM PIE

Steps:

• If you're using the porcini mushrooms, cover 10g of mushrooms in boiling water for 20 mins, then squeeze out but keep the soaking water.
• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large casserole dish, brown 1kg large chunks of braising steak really well in batches, then set aside.
• Add 2 large onions, roughly chopped, and 4 large carrots, chopped into large chunks, to the pan. Add a drizzle more vegetable oil, then cook on a low heat for 5 mins until coloured.
• Add the soaked porcini mushrooms, sizzle for 1 min more, then scatter over 2 tsp golden caster sugar and 4 tbsp plain flour, stirring until the flour turns brown.
• Tip the braising steak and any juices back into the pan and give it all a good stir.
• Pour over 300ml dark ale, 2 beef stock cubes mixed with 400ml boiling water and the porcini mushroom soaking liquid, discarding the last few drops.
• Season the stew, tuck in a small tied-together bunch of thyme, bay leaf and parsley, and bring everything to a simmer.
• Cover with a lid and place in the oven for about 2 hrs, until the braising steak is really tender.
• While the stew is cooking, heat a drop more vegetable oil in a frying pan and sizzle 200g smoked bacon lardons for 3 mins until crisp.
• Turn up the heat, add 200g halved chestnut mushrooms and cook for 4 mins until golden. Remove from the heat and, when the stew is cooked, stir them through.
• Leave everything to cool completely - better still, make this up to 2 days in advance and keep it in the fridge as the pie will be better if the filling is fridge-cold when added. Can also be frozen for up to 3 months and defrosted when needed.
• Make the pastry up to 2 days before you want to assemble the pie. Crumble 650g plain flour and 250g cold diced lard or butter, together with a generous pinch of sea salt until completely combined, then add up to 200ml ice-cold water to make a soft dough. This can be done in a food processor if you want.
• Knead the pastry, then wrap in cling film and leave to rest in the fridge for at least 1 hr. The pastry can be made up to 2 days ahead and kept in the fridge or frozen for up to a month.
• When you want to make the pie, heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7 and place a flat baking tray in the oven. Heavily grease a 24-28cm pie dish and dust well with flour.
• Cut a third off the pastry and set aside. Roll out the pastry to a thickish round that will easily line the pie dish with an overhang, then line the tin.
• Add the braising steak to the dish using a slotted spoon so some gravy is left in the container, as you don't want too much sauce in the pie. You want the filling to be slightly higher than the rim of the dish. If you have a bit too much, set it aside.
• Roll out the remaining pastry to a thick round big enough to cover the dish. Brush the edges of the pastry in the dish with 1 beaten egg yolk, then cover with the pastry lid.
• Trim the edges, crimp the pastry, then re-roll your trimmings to make a decoration, for example, pastry leaves. Brush the top heavily with egg. Make a few little slits in the centre of the pie, place on the hot baking tray.
• Bake for 40 mins until golden. Leave the pie to rest for 10 mins while you heat up the gravy left in the container. Serve the pie at the table with a jug of gravy and a big pile of greens.

BEEF AND ALE STEW WITH A SAVORY CRUST

Steps:

• Meat -- Now I use a baggie for this, but a small bowl or pan will work fine. I just mix the flour, salt and pepper in a baggie and toss the meat and dredge.
• Saute -- Now in a large pot heated to medium high, add the olive oil and cook the meat until golden brown. DON'T forget shake off most of the flour before you add it to the oil. The meat should take about 5-7 minutes until brown on each side. Remove to a plate while you prepare the vegetables.
• Vegetables -- In the same pot as you cooked the meat, add a little more olive oil and saute the onions, parsnips, celery root, mushrooms, and garlic. Cook 10 minutes until they begin to soften.
• Broth -- Add the beer to deglaze the pan and stir up all the good bits on the bottom of the pan. Add in the beef broth, seasoning and simmer 1 hour covered and 1/2 hour uncovered so the broth reduces a bit. You want a nice thick stew, not too runny. After 1 1/2 hours, the meat should be falling apart.
• NOTE: If you like your stew a bit thicker, just mix a little corn starch and water to make a slurry and add to a medium heat stew and it will thicken right up. Just a tablespoon or so should be plenty.
• Topping -- Now transfer the stew to a 13x9 baking dish, sprayed with Pam. Now roll out your crescent rolls (1 can at a time) on a counter top with a little flour so they don't stick or on a cutting board. Press the seams together and then I take my rolling pin and just roll it a couple of times to make a nice flat sheet.
• Now I like to cut my flat sheet of dough into 8 strips and then lay them across the pie like a checker board. The two crusts make a really pretty presentation. Now if you don't like the checker board pattern, just add it in strips. Anyways you like. Just remember if you put on a solid piece of crust, poke some holes with a fork on the top so the crust can breath. Just like a pie crust.
• Butter and Cheese Glaze -- The best part, just melt for 10 second in the microwave the butter and blue cheese with the seasoning. Just enough to make it soft but not liquid. Then brush the blue cheese butter on the crust.
• Bake -- 400 for about 17-20 minutes until the crust is done and golden brown. Then just ENJOY! Rich hearty stew, falling apart with a golden flaky crust.