Eating in or eating out this festive season – Granny Mouse have got you covered!
Opting to eat in this festive season or hosting a festive dinner party and looking for a delicious hearty meal to impress; Culinary Artist Kirstie du Toit from Granny Mouse Country House & Spa provides her favourite Beef & Vegetable Casserole that is tasty, easy to prepare, cook and plate with ingredients you are likely to find in your pantry cupboard.
Ingredients:
2.5kg Beef Cubes, Boneless
2 White Onions, Finely Chopped
1Tbsp Garlic, Minced
1Cup Oil
600ml White Wine
600ml Beef Stock
3Tbsp Tomato Paste
2Tbsp Rosemary & Thyme, Chopped
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
500g Baby Potatoes, Peeled and Halved
Vegetables of your choice
Method:
- Heat oil in a large pot on a low heat. Throw the finely chopped onions in fry until soft. (Setting the stove to a low heat allows less chance of burning the onions and the sweet juices to expel from the onions correctly)
- Then, add in the garlic and herbs and cook out for 5min. Ensure the herbs and garlic do not turn a dark colour, as this will give off a bitter taste.
- Then cut the beef cubes to the same size and drop them in the pot
- Turn the heat up the slightly to get some colour on the meat
- As soon as the meat has some colour on it, pour in the wine and stock and once it starts boiling, turn the heat to low and simmer for 30min, before adding in the baby potatoes and cook for another 30min on low heat.
- Once the meat is soft, add the tomato paste and cook for a further 10min on a high heat
- If you want your sauce to be more of a thick consistency, add slurry, this is equal parts hot melted butter and flour mixed together then poured into the pot. Mix well to make sure there are no lumps
- Now you can add any vegetables that you desire, baby marrow, carrots, green beans, etc
- Cook until all your vegetables are soft and taste to check the seasoning, adjust as desired
- Serve with herbed basmati rice or freshly baked bread
Cooking a delicious meal has never been easier and with a minimal amount of pots used, you are sure to have the food ready and dishes washed before your guests arrive.
If you are hosting a Christmas dinner why not decorate the table accordingly. Add some festive crackers, and colour coordinate baubles in a glass jar as well as serviettes in each glass to add some flair.
You may even take it further by creating place cards, lighting a few candles and playing a few ice-breakers or board games for entertainment.
However if you are looking to eat out this Christmas, why not book at Granny Mouse Country House & Spa.
View the Christmas Menu here http://grannymouse.co.za/about-2/