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Delia Smith Beef in Beer Recipe

Delia Smith Beef in Beer Recipe

Delia Smith's beef in beer recipe braises tender beef in a rich, malty ale sauce.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6 People
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: British
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kg braising steak cut into large chunks
  • 2 tbsp plain flour
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 onions sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves crushed
  • 1 tbsp soft dark brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp tomato purée
  • 500 ml dark ale or stout
  • 250 ml beef stock
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Fresh parsley chopped, to finish

Method
 

  1. Toss beef in flour, salt and pepper, then brown in batches. Set aside.
  2. Soften onions, then add garlic.
  3. Stir in sugar and tomato purée for 1 minute.
  4. Return beef to the pan and pour in the ale, scraping up browned bits.
  5. Add stock, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves.
  6. Cover and braise at 150°C (130°C fan) for 2½ to 3 hours.
  7. Reduce uncovered if needed to thicken.
  8. Scatter with parsley and serve.

Notes

Use a dark ale or stout, not a light lager, for the best depth of flavour.
Brown the beef properly in batches before braising.
Scrape up the browned bits from the pan when the beer is added.
Tastes even better the next day, making it an excellent make-ahead dish.
Freezes well for up to 3 months.