SPICED BEEF IN RED WINE

Spiced Beef in Red Wine image

There is nothing to stop you from serving spiced beef in red wine at a dinner party, but proper cooking should not be undertaken only for company. I make a batch of the beef and, when it is cool, bag it up in single portions and put it in the freezer. It makes a great warming supper for nights when you are lazing on a sofa watching television. Just because it's Wednesday, you need not have to resort to a bagel or grilled cheese for dinner.

Provided by Nigella Lawson

Categories weekday, main course

Time 2h30m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

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Ingredients

2 slices bacon, roughly chopped
2 large onions, roughly chopped
2 large leeks, white and light-green parts only, roughly chopped
3 medium carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
1/2 cup fresh parsley
1/3 cup flour
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 1/2 pounds chuck steak in 2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, or more as needed
Pinch ground cloves
1 1/2 cups red wine
2 cups beef stock or canned beef broth
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 star anise
1 tablespoon light brown sugar

Steps:

Working in batches in a food processor, process bacon, onions, leeks, carrots and parsley until finely chopped. Transfer mixture to a large bowl, and set aside. Place flour in a freezer bag or other plastic bag. Season with salt and pepper. Add steak cubes, seal bag, and shake until cubes are well coated.
Place a flameproof casserole dish over medium heat, and add 2 tablespoons oil. When hot, add beef in batches, turning until well seared on all sides. As beef is browned, transfer to a plate, and set aside.
If casserole dish is dry, add 1 tablespoon oil. Place over medium heat, and add bacon and vegetable mixture and ground cloves. Sauté until softened, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine wine, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, star anise and brown sugar. Place over medium-high heat, and bring to a boil. When vegetables have softened, pour liquid over vegetables.
Return beef to pan, and stir well. Bring to a boil, partly cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently until beef is tender, about 2 hours. Serve hot. If desired, stew may be cooked and then covered and refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for a month.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 668, UnsaturatedFat 24 grams, Carbohydrate 25 grams, Fat 41 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 41 grams, SaturatedFat 15 grams, Sodium 1114 milligrams, Sugar 8 grams, TransFat 2 grams