Stifado - Greek Beef and Onion Casserole

Methods

1. To make this Stifado Recipe:
• Heat the half of the oil
• Add the beef and cook for a minute or two on a high heat while stirring, to seal/ brown the meat.
• Spoon in to a bowl  
• Place the pan back on to the stove and heat up the rest of the oil
• Fry of the onions till golden brown
• Pour the beef back in to the pan with the onions
• Add the wine and vinegar, stirring well in to the mix, cook until the liquid has reduced by half
• Add the bay leaves, cinnamon and water
• Bring to the boil
• Simmer covered for 1 & 1/2 hours, checking occasionally, topping up with water if needed so the meat is just covered
• Alternatively, transfer in to an ovenproof dish and cook covered in the oven gas 6 / 200*c / 400*f . Test that the meat is tender, if not cook for longer
• Remove the lid, skim off any fat on the top (If the dish is too watery, boil further to evaporate the water and thicken the dish)
• Add the puree and cook for a further 10 minutes
• Taste to season, remove the cinnamon and bay leaves and serve