Today's Steak & Ale stew

[mike]

1lbs cubed lean steak (buy thick steak and cube it yourself)
1 medium red onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
4 small carrots (length of my hand and as thick as my thumb) cut into 1" lengths
2 tbsp plain flour
1/2 lbs chestnut mushrooms
2 tsp wholegrain mustard
1 heaped tsp marmite
1/2 pint of good bitter (I am using Brakspear)
pepper - no salt (the marmite is salty enough)
olive oil



Heat your olive oil in a heavy based casserole to just before smoking. Add the cubed steak and fry until just caught (ie just burnt) on a couple of sides). Remove and reserve.

Turn down the heat and, if necessary, add more olive oil.

Add the onions, garlic and carrots. Fry gently until the onion is transparent.

Add back the fried steak, and sprinkle over the two dessert spoons of plain flour. Mix well so that the flour coats everything and fries gently.

After a couple of minutes of stirring, pour in a little beer, and stir until it is all absorbed. Repeat until you have a smooth gravy.

Add the marmite and the wholegrain mustard and a good grind of black pepper.

Stir well bring to the simmer, cover with the lid and leave for 30 or so minutes.

Take lid off, give a good stir and add the mushroom (whole if small enough), cover and simmer for another 30 minutes.

Stir, taste and adjust seasoning.

Serve with creamy mashed potato,steamed savoy cabbage and more bitter.

[editorialgirl]

Sounds lovely. I can't bear marmite normally, but I have to agree it adds a certain je ne sais quoi to a casserole.

[mike]

I know it has been warm and steamy today, but I just can't get warm. Hopefully this will do it...

[Bill Lees]

4 small carrots (length of my hand and as thick as my thumb) cut into 1" lengths

I'd like to make this recipe on Thursday. Can you come round about 6 0' clock so that I can get the carrots right ?

[mike]

I'd like to make this recipe on Thursday.

You missed the title of the post, Bill.