Slow Cooked Tender Beef Recipe

The beef falls apart, the spices and prunes impart a lush richness of flavor. This is cool weather comfort food.

I prepare this meal in advance so that it can be re-heated for dinner on my office work day. This is an example of a meal I make the meal the day prior to a work day. This is one of those meals that improve when re-heated the next day AND it basically cooks itself once you have done the preparation. It just simmers away on the stove top for awhile. It is an easy meal to get started and then leave to simmer while you do something else.

Ingredients:

1 kg beef – cubed (diced)
1 tablespoon of oil
1 brown onion – chopped finely
3 garlic cloves – chopped
2 teaspoons of ground cumin
2 teaspoons of ground coriander
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon of ground ginger
2 tablespoons of raw sugar
1 tablespoon of chopped preserved lemon
1 cup of water (250 ml)
2 cups of beef stock (500 ml)
400 gram tin of chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup of pitted prunes (100 grams)
fresh coriander to serve

Steps:

Brown the meat on high heat then remove and set aside
To the pan add the oil and onion and garlic and stir until it softens
Add the dry herbs to the onion and garlic and cook for 1 minute
Add the sugar, lemon, stock, water, tomatoes and bring to the boil
Return the meat to the pot and reduce to a simmer
Cook for 30 minutes covered
Remove the lid and cook on a low simmer for a further 1 hour, stir occasionally
Add the prunes in the last 5 minutes and stir to combine
Serve with fresh coriander leaves and a side of rice or baked potatoes and vegetables, or crusty bread

Hints and Tips:

Monitor the liquid level to ensure your simmer is not too high – add extra water if required (and turn down your simmer)
This meal can be frozen
Make in advance and eat the following day – it always tastes better the next day!

What is your family favourite meal that you make in advance?

Linda says:

August 8, 2012 at 12:31 pm

Kyrstie, where do you buy preserved lemon or do you make it yourself?

Kyrstie says:
August 8, 2012 at 7:45 pm

Hi Linda,
I keep bringing them in from my tree to preserve them but just haven’t gotten around to it so far. You can buy them from any good deli. Locally I know that there is a lovely deli/veg shop at the top end of Pakington St. In Highton Darriwill Farm stocks them too. They are a must for middle eastern flavoured dishes and great in a salad dressing (see the Shane Delia slow cooked chicken recipe). K

mamacino says:

August 8, 2012 at 3:44 pm

I am definitely trying this next!

Lulu says:

August 10, 2012 at 3:12 pm

Hi, Kyrstie, I’ve just found you via your guest Planning with Kids post on evening routine – this looks like a great recipe and I’m going to make it soon. : )

Kyrstie says:
August 10, 2012 at 8:08 pm

Thanks so much for stopping by Lulu. I am thrilled to have you reading 🙂 I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.Kyrstie