Simple Pleasures....Beef & Ale Stew

Jag verkligen älskar långkok....och det finns inget bättre nu när rusket tränger sig på.

Enkelt om du har tiden :)

• 3 fresh or dried bay leaves

• 500g diced stewing beef

• 500ml ale, Guinness or stout

• 2 sticks of celery

• 2 medium onions

• 2 carrots

• olive oil

• 1 heaped tablespoon plain flour

• 1 x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

If using the oven to cook your stew, preheat it to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4 • Trim the ends off your celery and roughly chop the sticks • Peel and roughly chop the onions • Peel the carrots, slice lengthways and roughly chop • Put a casserole pan on a medium heat • Put all the vegetables and the bay leaves into the pan with 2 lugs of olive oil and fry for 10 minutes • Add your meat and flour • Pour in the booze and tinned tomatoes • Give it a good stir, then season with a teaspoon of sea salt (less if using table salt) and a few grinds of pepper • Bring to the boil, put the lid on and either simmer slowly on your hob or cook in an oven for 3 hours • Remove the lid for the final half hour of simmering or cooking • When done, your meat should be tender and delicious • Remember to remove the bay leaves before serving, and taste it to see if it needs a bit more salt and pepper.

(via Jamie Oliver)