Beef In Ale Recipes

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 IN ALE WITH CHEESE COBBLER

Steps:

• To make the casserole: In a large bowl or resealable plastic bag, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge the beef in the flour mixture and set aside. Lightly grease a 3-quart casserole dish.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until soft but not browned. Add the beef and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until browned on all sides. Add the carrots and celery and stir to coat. Stir in the ale, stock or broth, tomato purée, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the meat and vegetables are tender and the sauce starts to thicken. Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish.
• To make the cobbler: Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Sift the flour and mustard into a food processor. Season with salt and pepper. Add the butter, and pulse 4 to 5 times, or until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the cheese, Tabasco, and 1/2 cup water. Process for 8 to 10 seconds, or until a soft dough forms. Add more water, if necessary. Transfer the dough to a floured surface. Roll it out to 1/2-inch thickness. With a 3-inch round cookie cutter, cut out rounds. Arrange the rounds on top of the meat mixture, overlapping in a decorative pattern. Brush the tops of the cobbler with the milk. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden and the mixture is heated through. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

BEEF IN BEER

Steps:

• pre-heat the oven to 180c, 350F, gas mark 4. Cut the steak into large cubes (leave all fat as this will melt in cooking). and slice onions.
• Heat the butter and oil in a large casserole and cook the meat over a high heat for 10 minutes until browned and sealed.
• Remove steak and add onions, fry onions until they are transparent and then add the flour stiring allowing the flour to absorb the fat.
• return the meat to the casserole dish and add the beer, mustard, and bay leaf. Cover and cook in the oven for 2 1/2 hours or until tender and sauce has reduced and thickened. You can leave this in the oven for longer if you wish, or cook the day before and reheat.
• you can add a teaspoon of suger at step four if the beer you are using is quite bitter.