Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1 1/2 lb beef stew meat, cubed
  • 3 None onions, peeled, sliced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp all-purose flour
  • 2 cups beef stock
  • 8.5 oz canned tomatoes
  • 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves, plus extra sprigs to garnish
  • 2 tsp fresh parsley leaves, plus extra sprigs to garnish
  • 2 tsp brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  • 1 None small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, chopped
  • 8 oz portobello mushrooms
  • None None polenta, to serve

Method

  • Preheat oven to 300°F.
  • Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large Dutch oven. Sear meat until browned. Set aside. Add remaining oil and sweat onions until soft. Add cumin and cook, stirring, for 20-30 seconds. Add flour. Deglaze with stock, scraping up any browned bits. Return meat to pan along with tomatoes, herbs, sugar and allspice. Bring to a boil. Cover then transfer to oven for 2 hours.
  • Add squash and mushrooms. Season. Cover and cook for another 45-60 mins, until meat is very tender. Garnish with reserved herbs. Serve with polenta.