Braised beef with red wine & cranberry

This lovely seasonal dish can be left to bubble away, filling the kitchen with some wonderful and comforting aromas ...

Ingredients:
Serves 4
1kg braising steak
3 onions ( I usually use red ones)

300ml red wine
300ml stock
3 rounded tbsp cranberry sauce (check sugar/carb content if using shop bought)

Method:

1. Cut the meat into large slices, about 8cm square. Tip 2 tbsp flour with some salt and pepper into a large food bag, add the beef and shake to coat the pieces. Thinly slice the onions.

2. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-based pan. Add the beef and fry on all sides until evenly browned. You may need to do this in two batches. Remove to a plate.

3. Heat 1tbsp oil in the pan if you need it, then add the onions and fry quickly for 5 minutes until tinged brown. Return the beef to the pan and add the wine and stock. Bring to the boil, stirring to scrape up the juices. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

4. Reduce the heat, cover tightly with a lid and cook at a gentle simmer for 1hr 30mins until the beef is tender. Stir in the cranberry sauce, taste and add more seasoning if necessary. Simmer for a further 5 minutes and serve with vegetables of your choice. Some may choose mashed potato, others may choose mashed swede which is a lower carb alternative... fine green beans are also nice.

Original recipe idea from here

More about cranberries, they are a tart, ruby-red coloured berry which grows wild on shrubs throughout northern Europe and North America. High in vitamins C and D, potassium and iron they are believed to be a natural remedy for a host of health conditions.

Cranberries are at their best between October and December. and come into their own around Christmas. They are good for much more than accompanying the turkey. Their sour flavour lends itself well to both sweet and savoury dishes, as well as drinks.

When buying fresh cranberries look for plump, firm, red berries. Cranberries can be kept in the fridge for at least two months or frozen for up to a year ... but they're also available dried.

I hope you may enjoy this recipe suggestion soon, as it's especially nice in these cooler months. Now, may I pour you a glass of wine, or perhaps you would prefer something else ...

As regular readers know, we bring a variety of recipe ideas to this blog, but please note, not all may be suitable for you.

If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan