Beef, butternut and pear stew with a crispy potato topping
A warming beef stew really is the stalwart of winter comfort food. Cosy and nourishing, this is great to make in advance and will be loved by everyone on cold winter nights. A hug in foodie form, says Miranda Gore Browne Serves 6-8
Ingredients
- 2 red onions
- 1kg beef (braising steak, diced shin or chuck steak)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4-5 tbsp of plain flour
- 2 tbsp of tomato puree
- 600g butternut squash, peeled and chopped into small chunks
- 4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
- A pinch of chilli flakes
- 2-3 large pears, cored and chopped into small chunks (400g)
- 330ml of cider or beer
- 300ml of beef or vegetable stock
- 1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp of honey
- 1 tin of chopped tomatoes
- 700g potatoes, thinly sliced and par boiled
- 1 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper
Method
- Peel and chop the red onions into chunks
- Cook them in a heavy-based frying pan or in the bottom of your cast iron casserole pot. Put to one side.
- Chop the beef, if not already cut up. Toss in the flour with a little salt and pepper.
- Add some butter to the pan, then add the floured meet and cook until browned.
- Put the onions back in with the meat, add the chilli flakes and the tomato puree and stir over a low heat.
- Pour in the beer or cider and this will loosen all the sticky goodness from the bottom of the pan, bubble a little for a few minutes.
- Add the carrots, butternut squash, pears, tinned tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, honey and the stock, and stir well.
- Put on the lid and pop into the oven at 180 degrees to cook for about
2 hours. Stir well and add a little water if it looks too dry. - Par boil the potatoes and add to the stew after two hours of cooking, spread them on top of the stew and add a tablespoon of butter on top. Put back into the oven with the lid on for half an hour. Then take the lid off and return to the oven to cook for a final half an hour or until the potatoes are golden and crispy on top.
- Take to your bonfire party – best served in bowls with spoons!