I am a slow cooker fan, I have a pressure cooker that I use when time is short, but, I truly think slow cooking (IMHO) gives a better flavorer.
I can already hear the clatter of pressure cookers being hurled in my direction, and shouts of "RUBBISH", but I stand by my stall
. and just to make amends here is a slow cooker recipe I love in the winter, it may sound fiddly but it is well worth the effort.
"Shambles" slow cooked beef with button closed cap mushrooms
1 1/2 lbs of stewing beef Cubed,
150g Approximately 150g closed cap button mushrooms
2 large carrots large dice
2 medium onions quartered
1 stick of celery fine diced
2 cloves of garlic minced
1 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
1 large sprig of rosemary
2 Tbs of tomato puree
1 1/2 cups of beef stock ( you could make this up with a stock cube )
3 tbs Cooking oil as needed about 3 tablespoons.
Two Tbs of plain seasoned
Flour in a bowl
1 dash Salt
1 dash Pepper
1 Method
2 Pour some of the oil (about a tablespoon) into a large skillet and heat.
3 Dredge the cubed beef in the flour and put enough into the skillet so that it is not over full and steams rather than fries. When the beef is sealed and brown all over add to the slow cooker. Treat the rest of the meat in this way until it is all sealed.
4 I at this stage like to fry the onions and carrots until slightly browned, Add them to the slow cooker along with all the other ingredients . Give it all a good mix and slow cook for 4 hours on high and 2 hours on low.
5 Now for the messy bit
6 I put a large sieve over a bowl and tip the contents of the crock pot into it, pick all the beef and mushrooms out of the sieve and put to one side, remove the sieve along with the its contents and save for now. You are now left with a bowl full of sauce.
7 Add a tablespoon full of the contents of the sieve to the sauce and blend well with a stick blender continue doing this until you have a smooth sauce to the desired thickness. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed .Return the meat and mushrooms to the sauce and throw away, eat, or whatever the remaining contents of the sieve.
8 You now have a delicious beef and mushroom stew with a great sauce . Use in Pie’s or served with creamed potatoes.
Servings: 4
And for those who are weight watching
Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 serving
Percent daily values based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition information calculated from recipe ingredients.
Fat Carbohydrates Protein Alcohol
Amount Per Serving
Calories 401.19
Calories From Fat (45%) 181.97
% Daily Value
Total Fat 20.98g 32%
Saturated Fat 5.34g 27%
Cholesterol 46.49mg 15%
Sodium 252.43mg 11%
Potassium 871.79mg 25%
Carbohydrates 43.36g 14%
Dietary Fiber 3.67g 15%
Sugar 8.58g
Sugar Alcohols 0.00g
Net Carbohydrates 39.69g
Protein 44.52g