Gin and Juicy Beef Stew

Thought gin was just a pre-dinner affair? Not so, say Salcombe Gin, who share the perfect winter pairing for their Start Point Gin! A fragant, melt-in-your-mouth stew where every bite is simply delicious.

Difficulty:

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 2 hours

Serves: 6

Related Tags

Beef

Ingredients

450g Lean beef braising steak cubes
1 Stick celery, cut into chunks
1 Onion, peeled and chopped
2 Parsnips, peeled and cut into big wedges
2 Garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
12-15 Fresh damsons or red plums, stoned and halved
2tbsp Damson jam
2 Star anise
10 Green peppercorns (optional)
600ml Damson or red wine
1tbsp seasoned flour
2tbsp Oil

Method

Preheat oven to gas mark 4-5 / 180-190'C.
Toss the beef cubes in seasoned flour.
Heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the meat and brown.
Add the celery, onion, garlic and parsnip and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add star anise and green peppercorns.
Mix the wine and the damson jam and pour over the vegetables, season and bring to the boil.
Transfer to an ovenproof casserole dish and cook for 1½ hours until meat is tender. 30 minutes before the end of cooking time, stir in the damsons/plums. Remove star anise before serving.
Serve with rustic brown bread to mop up the lovely juices, a bowl of seasonal vegetables and a gin and tonic of course!