Beef stew with Savoy cabbage

This is a beautiful dish for the winter.  It has a rich flavour but it is the aroma the hits you first.

Preparation Time: 20 Mins

Cooking Time: 3½ Hrs

Total Time: 4 Hrs

Ingredients

For 4 servings…

60 ml              Olive oil    

1 kg                Steak  - braising      

                     Pepper  - freshly ground, black 

                     Salt          

4 cloves           Garlic  - crushed      

2                    Carrots  - cut into 1 cm chunks 

4 sticks            Celery  - diced        

2                    Parsnips  - cut into 1 cm chunks

3                    Shallots  - chopped   

2                    Leeks  - cut into 1 cm chunks   

1 bunch           Thyme      

4                    Bay leaves

1½ bottles        Wine  - red 

1½ l               Stock  - chicken       

1                    Cabbage  - Savoy, chopped up 

Method

Heat half of the olive oil in a large casserole over a medium heat.  When the oil is smoking, add the beef, season with salt and pepper and cook on all sides for about 15 minutes - until browned.  Remove the meat from the casserole and set aside.

Add the other half of the olive oil to the casserole, add the garlic and cook gently for 2 minutes without colouring it.  Add the carrots, cook for 1 minute, then add the celery and parsnips and cook for another 2 minutes.  Add the shallots and leeks, stirring continuously.  Add the thyme and bay leaves and cook for a further 15 minutes.

Pour in the red wine and cook over a high heat until it has reduced by half.  Add the stock and then return the beef.  Reduce the heat a little and simmer for 20 minutes, uncovered, removing any scum that rises to the top.  Cover the casserole and cook very gently for 2 hours.  Then uncover and simmer for a further 20 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken.

Bring a pan of salted water to the boil.  Add the cabbage and cook for 3 minutes, drain and season with salt and pepper.  Stir in a splash of olive oil.

Serve the stew in bowls, with the cabbage on top.

Wine recommendations

A rich red wine.

Conventional

     Côtes du Rhône

Interesting

     Châteauneuf-du-Pape

     Côte de Nuits Burgundy

     Haut-Médoc

     Saint Joseph