Beef Casserole and Dumplings

Good for those cold winter nights. This is one of our favourite old time comfort food recipes adapted from a book "Classic Kiwi Recipes". It reminds me of the dishes my Grandmother and Mother made when I was young.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 10 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 800  g  lean casserole  steak (I use topside)
• 1  large onion
• 3  carrots
• 1  medium parsnip
• 1  tablespoon flour
•  salt and pepper
• 1  tablespoon  oil
• 2  cups  beef stock or 2  cups  beef stock cube, prepared with water
• 2  teaspoons vinegar

• Dumplings

• 1  cup flour
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 2  tablespoons butter
• 1  tablespoon  chopped parsley or 1  teaspoon dried parsley
•  milk, to mix

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 180deg C.
2. Cut steak into 2 1/2 cm cubes.
3. Peel and slice onion, carrots and parsnip.
4. Mix flour, salt and pepper and toss beef in this.
5. Heat oil in frying pan, add beef and brown lightly.
6. Add onion and any remaining flour, stir 2 minutes.
7. Add carrots, parsnip, stock and vinegar.
8. Stir until boiling, then transfer to a casserole dish.
9. Cover and bake for 1-1 1/2 hours.
10. Increase oven heat to 200degC to ensure casserole is boiling.
11. Sift flour, baking powder and salt.
12. Rub in butter, add parsley and mix in enough milk to make a soft dough.
13. Divide into 8 pieces and form into balls.
14. Drop into the bubbling casserole, cover and reduce heat to 180degC again.
15. Cook for 20-25 minutes without lifting the lid.