Cheesy Winter Beef Stew Food

MUFFIN-TOPPED WINTER BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Heat oven to 150C/fan 130C/gas 2. Toss the beef in seasoned flour. Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole. Fry the beef over a high heat until browned all over - it's easiest to do this in batches. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Add 2 tbsp water and the onion to the pan, stir well over a medium heat, scraping up the crusty bits from the bottom of the pan. Lower the heat and fry gently for 10 mins, stirring occasionally until the onions have softened.
• Tip in the carrots, parsnips and bay leaf, then fry for 2 mins more. Return the beef to the pan, stir in the tomato paste, wine if using, and stock, then bring to the boil. Cover and cook in the oven for 1¾-2 hrs until the meat is tender. Can be made up to 2 days ahead or frozen for up to 1 month. Defrost thoroughly in the fridge before topping and baking. Take out of the oven and increase the temperature to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5.
• To make the topping, sieve the flour and baking powder into a bowl and add half the cheese. Mix olive oil and milk, then stir into the flour to make a soft, slightly sticky dough. Add more milk, if necessary. Spoon the dough over the meat and vegetables, sprinkle with the remaining cheese and bake for about 15 mins until golden, risen and cooked through.

PERFECT WINTER BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Place dressing and meat in large resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate 30 minutes to marinate. Meanwhile, cook bacon in large saucepan on medium heat 5 minutes, or until crisp. Remove bacon from saucepan: drain.
• Add onions and mushrooms; cook on medium-high heat 10 minutes., or until softened. remove meat from marinade; discard marinade. add meat, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes with their liquid, the broth and bacon to saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce hear to low; cover and simmer 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• Simmer uncovered, 15 minutes or until meat is tender and sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally.

SUNNY'S EASY BEEFY STEW

Steps:

• In a large skillet on high heat, add the butter and ground chuck. Season with a pinch of salt and, using a wooden spoon or spatula, break it up into small chunks, not bits. Brown the meat on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes, then remove from the skillet with a slotted spoon to a plate and reserve.
• Toss the top round cubes in a medium bowl with the flour to coat. Add the cubes to the hot skillet in batches and sear on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove to the plate with the ground beef and reserve.
• Use twine to tie the thyme, sage and oregano together. Turn the slow cooker to high and add the seared beef, tied herbs, onions, beef stock, red chili flakes, peppercorns, garlic and 1 cup of the beer. Season with another pinch of salt and cover. When the liquid begins to boil, after about 30 minutes, turn the slow cooker to low and cook until the onions are tender, about 4 hours.
• At the 4-hour mark, add the potatoes, carrots and remaining 1/2 cup beer. Cover and cook until the potatoes and carrots are tender, about 2 hours. Skim any fat off the top (see Cook's Note), then spoon the stew atop your choice of serving options. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• In a large ovensafe pot or Dutch oven, sear the ground chuck and beef cubes in the butter using the same method as above. Use twine to tie the thyme, sage and oregano together. Add all the meat back to the pot along with the tied herbs, onions, beef stock, red chili flakes, peppercorns, garlic and 1 cup of the beer. Season with a pinch of salt, cover and place in the oven to cook until the onions are tender, about 6 hours.
• At the 6-hour mark, add the potatoes, carrots and remaining 1/2 cup beer. Cover and cook until the potatoes and carrots are tender, about 2 hours. Skim any fat off the top (see Cook's Note), then spoon the stew atop your choice of serving options. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.
• In a large pot or Dutch oven, sear the ground chuck and beef cubes in the butter using the same method as above. Load the pot the same as above. Bring to a very low simmer over medium heat, cover and simmer until the onions are tender, about 6 hours.
• At the 6-hour mark, add the potatoes, carrots and remaining 1/2 cup beer. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook until the potatoes and carrots are tender, about 2 hours. Skim any fat off the top (see Cook's Note), then spoon the stew atop your choice of serving options. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

WINTER BEEF STEW

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook meat and chopped onion in oil over medium-high heat until meat is browned on all sides. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Add the potatoes, carrots, quartered onions and mushrooms. , In a small bowl, combine the broth, apple juice, tomato paste, parsley, bay leaves, salt, thyme and pepper. Pour over meat., Cover and bake at 325° for 2 hours. Stir. Bake, uncovered, for 30-45 minutes longer or until stew reaches desired thickness. Discard bay leaves; sprinkle with bacon.

WINTER VEGETABLE-BEEF STEW

Steps:

• In 4-quart Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat. Cook beef in oil 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Remove beef to bowl; cover to keep warm.
• In Dutch oven, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Cook onion and garlic in oil 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Return beef to Dutch oven. Sprinkle with flour; cook and stir 1 minute. Add wine; cook 1 minute, scraping to loosen any browned bits from bottom of pan. Stir in broth, carrots, parsnips, potatoes, bay leaves, thyme, salt and pepper.
• Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover; simmer about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaves before serving.