Inspired by the success of the lamb ragù in my last post, I decided to try out the “not browning the meat” method once again and made an old favourite: boeuf bourguignon. It was a success, so I thought I’d give you the recipe I used for this classic dish. I adapted it from Delia’s in her Complete Cookery Course. It’s also available online here. I’m probably breaking the rules here but if you don’t have any Burgundy, it would not be a disaster if you use whatever red wine you do happen to have in your kitchen.

Serves 6 generously

Ingredients

• 1kg braising steak (I used chuck), cubed
• Olive oil
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 heaped tbsp plain flour
• 400ml approx red Burgundy
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme, or ½ tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Approx 12 small onions or shallots, peeled and left whole
• 225g streaky bacon, smoked or green, ideally bought in a piece and then cubed but don’t worry if you only have rashers: just chop them up
• 120g mushrooms, sliced, or small button ones left whole

Method

• Spread the beef out on a large baking sheet which fits on the Aga runners and drizzle with olive oil
• Place the tray on the top runner of the roasting oven for 10-15 minutes to brown the beef
• Meanwhile in a large casserole, sweat the onion in a tablespoon or two of olive oil in the simmering oven until soft and translucent
• Place the casserole on the simmering plate and add the beef to it. Stir in flour to soak up the juices, then gradually pour in the wine until it barely covers the beef, stirring all the time. Don’t use all the wine if you don’t have to; remember that you tend to need less liquid when cooking in an Aga
• Add the crushed garlic, thyme and bay leaf and season with salt and pepper
• Put the lid on and place in the simmering oven for 3 hours or more
• In a frying pan on the simmering plate fry the onions and bacon in a little olive oil until coloured
• Add them to the casserole together with the mushrooms
• Put the lid back on and return to the simmering oven for at least an hour, but longer would not do any harm at all
• Sprinkle with some chopped fresh parsley to serve

Boulangère or dauphinoise potatoes go well with this and so does rice. A green salad and/or green beans are also good accompaniments. As with most casseroles, this one is better on the second day so it’s worth making the day before you want to eat it. I’d maybe not add the mushrooms until reheating it on the second day