Recipe: Italian casserole

[Galactic Space Hamster]

Italian Casserole.

 

INGREDIENTS

 

15g/1 tbsp butter

225/8oz shallots ( peeled )

40g 1lb stewing steak ( diced )

300ml/1/2 pint/1 1/4 cup good beef stock

200ml/ 1/2 cup of red wine

Oregano ( better fresh, but quality dried fine )

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 large orange or 2 medium oranges ( peel oranges - slice segments and VERY thinly cut rind to shreds )

300 g button mushrooms

225g/8 oz fresh tomatoes ( I used tinned/canned )

 

METHOD

 

1 - Head the oil and butter in a large frying pan ( skillet ). Add the onions and mushrooms then saute for 5 minutes or until golden. Remove and keep warm.

 

2 - Add the beef to hot pan. Sear the meat and brown it well.

 

3 - Return the onions/mushrooms to the pan with the beef and also add the stock, wine, oregano, and sugar mix and stir well while heating.

 

4 - Transfer to a large heated oven dish and add the oranges and peel. Cook in preheated oven for 1 1/4 hours at 180.c/350.F/gas mark 4

 

5 - peel and halve the tomatoes and add to the dish ( or throw in the canned tomatoes at this point if using ) and cook for another 20 mins approx. The sauce should be thick and rich.

 

If you try, let me know what you think. I used canned tomato instead of the fresh because I think it often makes for a richer sauce. If you would like a fresher flavour then use the fresh, but certainly be sure to use vine ripe tomatoes for full flavour.

[Maureen]

I do this!!! (I put 2 potatoes in instead of the oranges, but otherwise true to form) I love this, served with crusty bread.

[Louiseog]

Yum Yum. Cold meat and chips tonight but will have a go, like the orange idea

[Galactic Space Hamster]

I do this!!! (I put 2 potatoes in instead of the oranges, but otherwise true to form) I love this, served with crusty bread.

 

Hey, cool! Try it with the orange in it. I think it really adds an interesting and different flavour.

 

Yum Yum. Cold meat and chips tonight but will have a go, like the orange idea

 

It is yum! As I said above, I think the oranges in it really make it extra special. My GF wasn't keen on the diced rind though, but I liked the slightly bitter orange taste.

[JohnT]

Galactic space Hamster, that recipe sounds good. Orange adds great flavor to meats. I have a spare rib recipe that I bake using a orange glaze at the end to add a zesty sweet taste to a tart one.

[Kell]

Ooh, this sounds delicious! I may well have to give this one a try some time very soon - especially with the long, cold nights drawing in - a hearty stew is just the thing!

 

Actually, with it benig October & all, I'll be making this season's first batch of pumpkin soup tomorrow - yummy!