‘One for the kids' beef casserole

Ingredients

1 kg chuck or boneless shin/gravy beef

1 large onion, diced

2 medium carrots, diced

1 stick celery, finely chopped

2 tbsp plain flour

3 cups beef stock

1/3 cup tomato sauce

1/3 cup soy sauce

1 tbsp brown sugar

Preheat oven to 180°C. Cut the beef into 2.5cm-3cm cubes. Season with salt and pepper, add 2 about tablespoons of oil and mix well. Heat a large frypan over a medium-high heat. Brown the beef in 2 or 3 batches. Remove each batch and place in casserole dish.
Reduce the heat in the pan and add a little oil. Add the onion, carrot and celery, cook for 12 minutes and stir occasionally.
Sprinkle in the flour and stir until the vegetables are coated. Gradually pour in the stock, stirring well. Add the tomato sauce, soy sauce and sugar, stir until the mixture boils. Pour over the beef in the casserole dish and stir to combine. Cover the casserole dish, place in the oven and cook until the beef is very tender. Stir every 40 minutes or so, adding water if needed to keep the ingredients just covered.

Cooktop method: Place the browned beef and other ingredients in a heavy-based pot. Partially cover, keep the heat low. Simmer until the beef is very tender. Stir occasionally, adding water if needed during the cooking time to keep ingredients just covered.