BETTY TURPIN'S HOT POT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F.
• Melt the dripping or 1 oz butter over a high heat in a heavy-bottomed frying pan until the fat smokes.
• Seal the meat and continue frying until nicely browned.
• Remove the pieces from the pan to a deep casserole or divide among four individual high-sided oven proof dishes.
• Turn down the heat to medium.
• Fry the onions in the pan juices, adding a little more butter or dripping if necessary.
• When the onions are soft and starting to brown, sprinkle on the flour and stir in to soak up the fat and the juices.
• As the flour paste starts to colour, start adding stock or water a few tablespoons at a time, stirring vigorously to avoid lumps.
• Gradually add the rest of the liquid.
• Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, add the Worcestershire sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour the onions and liquid over the meat and mix well.
• Tuck in the bay leaf (tear into 4 pieces if making individual hot pots).
• Arrange the potatoes over the meat in overlapping layers, seasoning each layer.
• Dot the top layer of potatoes with the remainder of the butter.
• Cover the dish and place on the top shelf of the oven for 2 hours.
• Uncover and cook for a further 30 minutes.
• If the potatoes are not brown at this point, turn up the oven and cook for a further 15 minutes, or finish under the grill, brushing the potato slices with more butter if they look dry.
• Serve with red cabbage and chips.