Beef and Vegetable Stew

2 tablespoons olive/ rapeseed oil

1 onion, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, whole

500g organic stewing steak

some dried mixed herbs or chopped fresh like sage, rosemary, oregano

2 carrots, sliced

2 leeks, washed and thinly sliced

¼ turnip, cubed

salt & pepper

bottle of ale, like Luckie Ales stout

2 bay leaves

Soften the onion in the oil in a heavy pan.

Pat the beef dry with kitchen paper and coat the beef cubes in the dried or fresh herbs. Heat the oil in a wide frying pan and add the beef and brown on a moderate heat. Transfer to an ovenproof casserole and add the garlic, chopped carrots & turnip to the casserole. Fry the onions gently in the same pan then tip into the casserole. Add the bay leaves, salt & pepper. Put the frying pan back on the heat and add the ale. When it’s boiling pour into the casserole and add enough hot water to cover the meat and vegetables. Stir, cover with a lid and put in a moderate oven (150c/ Gas 3). Leave to cook for 3-4 hours till the meat is tender, stirring occasionally. Serves six.