Beef and Ale Casserole. A lovely warming dinner, suitable for oven or slow cooker. The beef takes on a nice flavor and is so very tender!

Beef and Ale Casserole. A lovely warming dinner, suitable for oven or slow cooker. The beef takes on a nice flavor and is so very tender!

I really enjoy eating beef, but it is getting so expensive now, that I have to think up easy and tasty ways to use the cheaper cuts and still have enjoyment.
Here I made a simple Beef and Ale Casserole, and it involves a little bashing with a meat hammer first to break down the toughness in the meat, and a little pre-marinade.

Once you've done those two things, your beef really can be lovely and tender, and full of great flavour. I also added fresh winter vegetables in the casserole. This adds to the flavour of the dish, and of course, all the vitamins and goodness remain in the casserole. The addition of ale or beer really does make for a delightfully delicious meal. As a rule, the stronger the beer, the stronger the taste of beer you will have.
I would suggest you choose an ale that you like the taste of, and enjoy!
Serve with some mashed potato like I did, or rice, anything you like!
Choose vegetables which won't go mushy whilst cooking, see the suggestions below.

You will need:
A Crock pot OR an oven proof pot / casserole dish with a lid deep enough to hold all the ingredients and liquid. (like a Dutch Oven)

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Ingredients

1 lb or 500 g cheap cut lamb or beef such as Braising, chuck or brisket steak
1 onion sliced
3 cloves garlic chopped
2 large carrots, peeled and sliced into chunks. I also added Brussels Sprouts in mine
2 Sticks or celery, peeled and chopped
swede/ rutabagas / turnip/ other root vegetables , Whole baby onions if you like them!
handful of mushrooms (whole )
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
2 Bay Leaves
3 Tablespoon balsamic Vinegar PLUS 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 stock cube / beef broth / boullion dissolved in 2 cups boiling water
1 Tablespoon Tomato Puree
1 ¼ Cups or 300 ml Brown Ale (choose your favourite ale)
Salt & Pepper to season
A small handful of chopped fresh parsley and a sprig of thyme

Instructions

Set your oven to 170 C , Gas 3, 325 F if using the oven to cook this.
1. First of all, place the beef in a zip bag and bash using a meat hammer on BOTH sides so they are about ½ inch thick. Do this for all your slices then cut them into 2-inch pieces and place in a dish.
2. To the meat, add the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, cornstarch, crushed garlic and pepper. Do not add the salt. Mix it all together then arrange the meat so it is sitting flat. Leave for 30 minutes.
3. In the same pan you will use for the oven, add a drop of olive oil, chopped onion, mushrooms and fry until translucent.
4. Add the meat and fry until brown to seal the juices.

**** If using slow-cooker, you can skip steps 3 u0026amp; 4 and just add everything straight to the slow cooker.


5. Add your meat and remaining ingredients to your casserole dish / slow cooker. Combine everything well and cook in the oven for 3-4 hours or in your Slow cooker for 6 - 8 hours on LOW. Season with salt.
When ready, serve with some nice mashed potatoes, rice or anything you like!

If the liquid is not thick enough for your liking, add a drop of water to 1 -2 tablespoons of cornstarch, dissolve it then add to the casserole and give it a stir. Repeat this until you get it as thick as you like. Every one is different!

Beef and Ale Casserole. A lovely warming dinner, suitable for oven or slow cooker. The beef takes on a nice flavor and is so very tender!

Recipe Card

Beef and Ale Casserole. A lovely warming dinner, suitable for oven or slow cooker. The beef takes on a nice flavor and is so very tender!

Beef and Ale Casserole

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Beef and Ale Casserole. A lovely warming dinner, suitable for oven or slow cooker. The beef takes on a nice flavor and is so very tender!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb or 500 g cheap cut lamb or beef such as Braising, chuck or brisket steak
  • 1 onion sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic chopped
  • 2 in large carrots, peeled and sliced into chunks
  • 2 Sticks or celery, peeled and chopped
  • swede/ rutabagas / turnip/ other root vegetables, Whole baby onions if you like them!
  • 6 mushrooms, whole
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 Leaves Bay
  • 3 Tablespoon balsamic Vinegar PLUS 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 stock cube / beef broth / boullion dissolved in 2 cups boiling water
  • 1 Tablespoon Tomato Puree
  • 1 ¼ Cups or 300 ml Brown Ale, choose your favourite ale
  • Salt & Pepper to season
  • A small handful of chopped fresh parsley and a sprig of thyme

Instructions

  1. Set your oven to 170 C , Gas 3, 325 F if using the oven to cook this.
  2. First of all, place the beef in a zip bag and bash using a meat hammer on BOTH sides so they are about ½ inch thick. Do this for all your slices then cut them into 2 inch pieces and place in a dish.
  3. To the meat, add the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, cornstarch, crushed garlic and pepper. Do not add the salt. Mix it all together then arrange the meat so it is sitting flat. Leave for 30 minutes.
  4. In the same pan you will use for the oven, add a drop of olive oil, chopped onion, mushrooms and fry until translucent.
  5. Add the meat and fry until brown to seal the juices.
  6. **** If using slow cooker, you can skip steps 3 & 4 and just add everything straight to the slow cooker.
  7. Add your meat and remaining ingredients to your casserole dish / slow cooker. Combine everything well and cook in the oven for 3-4 hours or in your Slow cooker for 6 - 8 hours on LOW. Season with salt.
  8. When ready, serve with some nice mashed potatoes, rice or anything you like!
  9. **** If the liquid is not thick enough for your liking, add a drop of water to 1 -2 tablespoons of cornstarch, dissolve it then add to the casserole and give it a stir. Repeat this until you get it as thick as you like. Every one is different!

Notes

For Slow Cooker, cook time is 8 hours LOW

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 998Total Fat: 60gSaturated Fat: 21gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 34gCholesterol: 239mgSodium: 718mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 5gSugar: 10gProtein: 70g

Nutrition information isn’t always accurate

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