Beef and Stout Casserole

This was in our local paper and we thought we would give it a try. It is a recipe from Graham Hawkes. It is lovely!!!

• Ready In: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1  kg  blade steak
• 1⁄4 cup  oil
• 4  onions, peeled and sliced
• 1  tablespoon garlic, peeled and chopped
• 4  tablespoons flour
• 2  cups stout beer (Any dark beer)
• 2  cups  beef stock
• 4  slices bacon, chopped
• 4  sprigs thyme (I used just over a teaspoon of dried)
• 18  prunes
• 1  orange, rind of, sliced

Directions

1. Cut the steak into 5cm cubes.
2. Heat the oil in a heavy based pan and brown the meat in batches.
3. Transfer the meat to a casserole dish that has a tight fitting lid.
4. Add the onions to the pan and cook for a couple of minutes. Add the garlic and cook for a further minute.
5. Sprinkle the flour and mix with the onions. Once well mixed gradually add the stock and the beer and mix into a smooth sauce.
6. Pour the sauce over the meat and add the raw bacon, thyme, prunes and orange rind.
7. Place in a preheated oven at 160ºc and cook for 2 hours.
8. Serve with creamy mashed potato and crusty bread.