Beef Casserole Recipe

This beef casserole recipe is very tasty. It has the flavour of delicate spices and the tang of oranges. It makes very good gravy or sauce and goes well with baked potatoes and some crisp green vegetables. The basic ingredients are set out above in the photograph it is a real comfort dish for cold damp days
Ingredients
2 tablespoons of olive oil
3 1/2 cups--450gm--1 lb of onions chopped or small onions or shallots left whole
2 garlic cloves chopped
4 cups--900gm--2 lb of stewing beef cut into cubes, I prefer bite size pieces
1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon of cloves
1 teaspoon of ground cumin
2 tablespoons of tomato puree or tomato ketchup
1 1/4 pints--750 ml of either red wine or a dark beer such as Guiness
1 orange with the rind grated and the juice extracted
1 bay leaf
salt and fresh ground black pepper
chopped parsley or basil to garnish
Method
Use a casserole which can be used on top of the oven and then be placed into the oven or prepare in a large pan and then transfer to a casserole dish.
pre-heat the oven to gas 2, 150C or 300F
Heat the olive oil in the casserole
Add the onions and cook till they are soft and brown but not burnt
Add the garlic and cook gently for 2 minutes
I now prefer to remove the onions and garlic and just put aside on a plate
Add the beef to the pan and fry until it is browned and sealed about 5 minutes
Then put the onions and garlic back into the casserole with the beef
Add the spices, tomato puree or ketchup and add salt and pepper to taste
Add the wine or beer and stir well
Add the grated orange rind, the orange juice and the bay leaf.
Boil the casserole, cover with foil and put on the lid.
Cook the casserole for 2 1/2 hours. Check after 1 hour, stir and let it cook

Garnish with chopped herbs. I serve it with baked or roast potatoes and green vegetables
Enjoy