British twist on Greek Stefado (Beef stew) (Meat)

Member Name: Jennifer73

Product:	Meat
Date:	25/02/09 (95 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tasty, nutritious and warming dish

Disadvantages: Relatively long cooking time, but worth it

My Mum is a great fan of Greek cookery due to years spent enjoying warm winters over there, escaping for the UK climates.

Her signature dish is Stefado, a Greek beef stew with tomatoes and onions.
My Mum is the sort who will go to a restaurant, try something out, then do her own version at home, so this is her interpretation of Stefado.

She never measures and throws in a she goes but I've watched her a million times and the recipe below is how she does it.

It's really easy and is absolutely delicious, especially on a cold day.

It is quick to throw together, but there is substantial cooking time so it's a good one for the weekend (for in the oven) or you could place it in a slow cooker and have it ready for you coming home in the evening.

Here's the recipe (makes enough for around 4):

1 lb of stewing steak
1 large tin of chopped tomatoes
1 large onion - chopped
6 mushrooms - peeled and chopped
1 x beef oxo cube
1/2 glass red wine
Good squeeze of tomato paste
1 clove garlic - crushed
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon curry powder
to taste, salt and pepper
butter or olive oil to cook

Gather together the ingredients you require as above and make sure you have an oven proof casserole dish or a slow cooker.

Brown the meat in a pan and put to one side
Cook off the onions, garlic and mushrooms in another pan
Place everything together in the casserole dish, then add in all other ingredients
Top up with water (enough to make up the Oxo according to its instructions)
Place it all in the oven for 2 hours (275 degrees F(140 degrees C) adding more liquid if necessary, put your feet up and relax

Remove bay leaf before you eat.

Pour yourself a lovely glass of red and serve this with Couscous or a Greek salad and some crusty bread to mop up the gravy - simple delicious !

Summary: Delicious reminder of Greece