Dinner for Two Nights: Hearty Beef Stew and Biscuits

It sometimes happens that SD has to come down for work during the week. He tries to time this so he can stay over a weekend.

This means I have to feed a big hungry man for four days.

SD is pretty good about it and knows that I can't really afford to order in or eat out all the time or even put on an elegant meal during the work week.

I like to make up something that will feed us cheaply for a couple of days. And he likes to take me out for dinner or lunch to even it all out.

So this week it will be a hearty beef stew and biscuits. Cheap cut of meat, some potatoes and carrots, and plenty of spice to keep out the winter cold.

The weather has been truely terrible this month with snow and sleet and all sorts. A warm rich beef  goulash and the comfort fluffy biscuits is perfect and will feed us for at least a couple of nights. This kind of dish only improves with age (to a point) so it can be made up a day or two in advance no problem.

It is great to cook as well because it takes a long time, warms the house, and smells wonderful for hours.

The Ingredients

Marinade
2 tbsp each of soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice
2 tsp Worcester sauce
1 tbsp flour
Pinch of sea salt


Stew
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion chopped fairly fine
2 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp minced ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp paprika
1 dash nutmeg
1 tbsp tandoori massala
400 grams (1 lb ?ish ) stewing beef
2 pints beef stock (made mine with oxo)
1 can chopped tomatoes
2 medium potatoes peeled and quartered
3 large-ish carrots peeled and quartered

Biscuits
See Basic Biscuit Dough

The Tools
1. large fry pan
2. knives
3. pair of swimming goggles (optional)
4. measuring spoons
5. wooden spoon/spatula
6. mixing bowls
7. stove
8. oven

The Method
For the Marinade:
1. In a mixing bowl combine everything but the flour
2. Add the beef and stir
3. Leave for about ½ an hour
4. Add the flour and toss to coat
5. Set aside until ready to add to the fry pan

For the Stew:
6. Heat the olive oil in a large fry pan on a moderate heat
7. Add the onion, garlic and ginger and cook until the onion is translucent and soft
8. Add the spices and cook for another five minutes
9. Add the beef and cook until turning brown
10. Add the stock and can of tomatoes
11. Bring to a boil and reduce to a medium heat and simmer at a fairly high temperature for about 45 mins to 1 hour uncovered. This reduces the liquid to make a yummy thick gravy
12. Add the potatoes and carrot and simmer for a further 1/2 hour covered stirring occasionally and adding liquid as needed but it should be fairly thick
13. Reduce the heat to the minimum and simmer at a low heat for a further hour and a half
14. Check to see if the meat is tender and the potatoes soft. If not continue on a low simmer and check every 10-20 minutes
15. Remove from heat and let cool completely
16. Turn into a large casserole dish

To Finish:
17. Heat the over to 350
18. Make up a batch of basic biscuits (minus the sugar and plus what ever savoury flavours you fancy)
19. Dot the dough around the top of the casserole to cover the stew
20. Bake until the biscuits are cooked all the way through and are nice and brown and the stew is bubbling


The Plan
At least 24 hours before your quest arrives
1. Make the stew up to step 16. I did this three days in advance. You can even make it up a month in advance and freeze it. Get it out the day before to thaw
 
An hour before - 20 minutes after your guest arrives
2. Complete the rest of the steps.
 
I will be doing this AFTER SD arrives simply because he will be coming down early and I will be at work and then the gym before I can meet up with him. I will make up the biscuits when I get home with him and put it all in the oven.
 
While it is baking we will mostly like make out on the couch. YAY.
 
Recommendations
Stew is stew. It is meant to be a cheap flavourful meal that you can keep for a few days or freeze. That is why the cheaper tougher cut of meat is used. There is no point in getting sirloin if you are going to cook it for three hours.
 
Stew is also good for using up what ever you have around. You can put in any kind of veg. I happened to have potatoes and carrots but turnips, leaks, parsnips, fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, blah blah blah can go in.
 
This stew is almost like a goulash because of the paprika and cinnamon and spices used. It has a thick rich gravy. You can use what flavourings you prefer.
 
If you want to give it more richness add some creme fraiche or sour cream and serve it with either. I am going for the low fat version here.
 
Conclusions
Including the meat the whole sheebang didn't cost me £6. For two people for at least two nights that is £1.50 each. Pretty good vlaue for money for a tasty warming dinner for two.