Beef Shin Recipes Tom Kerridge Food

BEEF RAGU

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Put the mince in a shallow roasting tin, break it up and put in the oven for 5 mins. Remove the mince and give it a stir, then nestle in the star anise and cloves (tie them up in a piece of muslin cloth first, if you prefer) and roast for another 10 mins. Give it another stir, then roast for another 30-40 mins until deep brown and crispy, stirring and scraping it off the bottom of the pan a few times if needed. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat and cook the pancetta for 8-10 mins until crispy and browned on all sides. Stir in the onions, carrots, celery and garlic, and cook for 8-10 mins until the veg has softened. Stir through the mushrooms, oregano and bay leaves, then scatter over the sugar and squeeze in the tomato purée. Stir well, then pour in the wine and vinegar and bring to the boil. Simmer for a few minutes until reduced by about a third.
• Tip in the tomatoes, then a can of water. Add the stock pot or cube, give everything another good stir and bring to a simmer again. Scrape in the roasted mince and spice bag, season, then turn the heat down to low and simmer gently for about 1 hr 30 mins until thick and glossy. Taste for seasoning. The sauce will taste even better if left to cool completely and chilled for a day or two before reheating. Serve with pasta and grated parmesan, if you like. Can be chilled for up to three days or frozen for three months - defrost fully before reheating over low to medium heat until piping hot.

BEEF & GUINNESS STEW WITH BACON DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• First, make the dumplings. Gently fry the bacon until crisp in a large lidded casserole dish. Stir in the thyme leaves, then tip into a bowl and leave to cool slightly. Add the flour and suet to the bacon, and stir everything together. Make a well in the middle, then add the egg yolk, parsley, ½ tsp pepper and 2 tbsp very cold water, and start to mix into a dough. Keep adding water until you a have a firm but pliable dough. Divide the mixture into eight balls and chill until needed.
• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Quickly clean the casserole dish with some kitchen paper, then heat the oil. Brown the meat really well in batches, then set aside. Tip in the onions or shallots, carrots and celery, brown well, then stir in the flour. Add the meat and any juices back into the dish, give everything a good stir, then pour in the stock and Guinness. Season, then tuck in the thyme and star anise and bring everything to a simmer. Cover with a lid, then cook in the oven for about 2 hrs until the meat is tender.
• Remove the stew from the oven and arrange the dumplings evenly on top. Put the lid back on and return to the oven for 20 mins, then cook for a final 10 mins with the lid off to brown the dumplings. Bring the dish to the table in all its glory. Spoon into bowls with cabbage and mash, to serve.

BARBACOA PULLED-BEEF TACOS

Steps:

• Pour the vinegar and lime juice into a large bowl (it should be able to hold all the beef ). Whisk in the chipotle paste, garlic, spices, herbs, sugar and some seasoning. Mix in the beef, ensuring it's well-coated, then cover and leave to marinate for 1-2 hrs, or chill overnight.
• Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/ gas 3. Put the beef on a plate, then tip the marinade into an ovenproof casserole, along with any bits that have stuck to the bowl. Pour in the stock and bring to a simmer. Add the beef and simmer for 1 min, then cover and cook in the oven for 2 hrs.
• If the beef isn't tender enough to shred, cook for 15 mins more, then check again. Leave until cool enough to handle, then lift onto a board using a slotted spoon. Bring the sauce to the boil and reduce to about 300ml. Meanwhile, roughly shred the beef, discarding any fat or gristle. Stir back into the sauce to reheat, then serve in the casserole dish with the tacos, coriander and toppings on the side for everyone to help themselves.