Rich Beef Pot Pie/Casserole

A rich flavoured, hearty meal--easy to prepare. Can also be used as a great filling for a meat pie - real comfort food!!!

• Ready In: 1 hr 25 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1  kg  chuck steak, big dice
• 125  g bacon or 125  g lardons, small cube or 125  g ham, pieces small cube
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons  oil
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 2 -3  beef bouillon cubes
•  cayenne, a few shakes
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  provance herbs or 1⁄2 teaspoon mixed herbs
• 1⁄2 teaspoon oregano
• 1⁄4 teaspoon basil
• 1⁄2 cup dry red wine
• 2  onions, chopped
• 1  celery rib, chopped small
• 200  g mushrooms, small, peeled and in chunks
• 1 (425 g) can canned tomatoes, blended with the juice
•  salt and pepper

Directions

1. Trim and cube meat, brown in large saucepan in the oil, in batches. Remove beef from the pan. Add the onions, ham or bacon, celery and mushrooms to the pan and sauté until soft.
2. Add the wine, tomatoes, stock cubes, water, herbs and a few shakes of cayenne.
3. Bring to the boil. Return meat to the saucepan and simmer, covered, for 1 hour. 10 minutes before its cooked add the seasoning.
4. Thicken with corn flour.
5. Serve with hot vegetables or can be used as a filling for a Pot Pie. It is real nice either way.