Braised Beef With Cranberries Spices Food

BRAISED BEEF WITH CRANBERRIES & SPICES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish. Add the steaks 4 at a time and brown them well on both sides, then transfer to a plate. Now add the onions, garlic and ginger to the oil, plus juices left in the dish, and fry for at least 15 mins, stirring very frequently, until they are golden and soft. Add the saffron, cinnamon sticks, coriander, harissa and ground almonds, and stir well for 1 min.
• Tip in the stock, then return the meat to the dish. Add the bay leaves, cover and simmer for 1 hr. Remove the lid and cook for another 1 hr 30 mins, checking occasionally to ensure the mixture doesn't catch on the bottom. Add the cranberries 10 mins before the end of the cooking time so they can plump up in the gravy. Check the beef after the cooking time - it should pull apart easily with 2 forks. If not, add a splash more water or stock and cook for another 30 mins. Remove cinnamon and bay leaves.
• To freeze: Cool completely, then pack into freezer bags. Use within 3 months. Thaw in the bags at room temperature for 5-8 hrs depending on the bag size, although batches of 2 can be unwrapped and reheated in a pan with a little water in the base. This will also keep in the fridge for a couple of days if you don't want to freeze it. Serve with mash, rice or couscous (or gluten-free alternative).

SWEET AND SOUR BRAISED BRISKET WITH CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the garlic, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, rosemary, black pepper, 1 tablespoon salt, chile flakes and Aleppo pepper. Place the brisket, fat side up, in a large Dutch oven. Rub meat all over with the spice mixture. If you have time, let meat rest at room temperature for 1 hour. (You can skip this step if necessary.) Transfer pot to oven and roast, uncovered, 20 minutes.
• While meat cooks, heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, 7 to 10 minutes. Stir in the cranberries and remaining 6 tablespoons sugar. Simmer, uncovered, until cranberries begin to break down, about 5 minutes. Stir in the wine, cider and pomegranate molasses if using. Season with salt.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Pour cranberry mixture over the brisket. Cover and cook until meat is very tender, 3 to 3 1/2 hours; turn meat every hour. Slice meat and serve with plenty of sauce and parsley for garnish.

YUMMY SCRUMMY BRAISED BEEF WITH RED WINE AND CRANBERRY

Steps:

• Cut the steak into bite size pieces and tip into a large food bag with the flour and some salt and pepper.
• Give the bag a good shake, making sure the beef is well coated.
• Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large pan.
• Add the beef and fry until evenly browned.
• Remove to a plate.
• You can do this in two batches if you prefer.
• Heat 1 tbsp of oil in the pan and add the onions.
• Fry for 5 minutes until they're slightly brown.
• Return the beef to the pan and add the wine and stock.
• Bring to the boil, stirring well to scrape up the juices.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• NOTE: I only add pepper at this stage because my stock is pretty salty.
• Reduce the heat, cover tightly with a lid and cook at a gentle simmer for one and a half hours until the beef is tender.
• Stir in the cranberry sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
• Simmer it for a few minutes and serve with a huge dollop of creamy mashed potatoes.
• Happy Cooking!

PEPPERED FILLET OF BEEF WITH CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Place cranberries in a saucepan, cover with water, bring to a boil, and simmer 5 minutes. Drain, refresh with cold water, drain and place in a bowl. Add Cognac.
• Coarsely crush peppercorns in a mortar. (Wrap a towel over mortar at first so peppercorns do not fly about.) Spread crushed peppercorns on a platter.
• Salt fillets on both sides. Place on peppercorns and press to slightly flatten steaks and embed with peppercorns. Repeat on other side.
• Heat half the butter in a skillet just big enough to hold fillets. When butter begins to brown, add fillets and cook over medium heat, 2 to 3 minutes a side, until slightly underdone to your taste. Transfer steaks to a platter. Pour excess fat from skillet.
• Add cranberries and Cognac to skillet and cook briefly over low heat. Add stock and cook sauce until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Check sauce for seasoning, adding salt if needed. Swirl in remaining butter bit by bit until sauce is glossy. Return steaks to pan, baste briefly with sauce, and serve.