Beef stew with carrots, parsnips and plums.
Using a pressure cooker allows you to choose cheaper cuts of meat because it makes them so tender. As the cooker seals in the steam created by the boiling liquid, it intensifies the flavours so you won’t need to add any creams or fats for extra taste. Serves 4
Ingredients
Olive oil 1tbsp
Beef stewing steak 600g,
cut into bite-size pieces
Plain flour 2tbsp
Garlic cloves 2, crushed
Baby onions or shallots 4, peeled
Celery stalks 4, cut into
large chunks
Carrots 250g, peeled and cut into wedges
Parsnips 250g, peeled and cut into wedges
Prunes 100g, de-stoned
Red wine 150ml
Beef stock 500ml
Bay leaves 2
Worcestershire sauce 1tsp
Balsamic vinegar 1tbsp,
or to taste
Sea salt pinch
Black pepper pinch
Mashed potato to serve
Put the meat into a sealable plastic food bag and add the flour. Shake well so the meat is coated.
Heat the olive oil in the pressure cooker over a medium heat and lightly brown the meat for 2-3 mins. When browned, remove the
meat and set it aside on a paper towel-covered plate.
Add the garlic and vegetables and stir fry for 1-2 mins.
Add the beef, red wine, stock, prunes, bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce and vinegar. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Place the lid on the pressure cooker and lock in place. Bring up to high pressure. Cook for 30 mins then release the pressure slowly.
Take off the lid. If the sauce is too thin blend 1tbsp cornflour with 2tbsp water and add to the pan, stirring for a minute until thickened. Serve with mashed potato
