Serves 6

Ingredients

•  1kg lean blade steak
•  About ¼ cup oil for frying
•  4 onions, peeled and diced (or 16 baby onions or shallots)
•  1 Tbsp minced garlic
•  4 Tbsp flour
•  2 cups Guinness
•  2 cups beef stock
•  4 rashers bacon, chopped
•  About 4 sprigs fresh thyme, or ¼ tsp dried
•  12-18 dried prunes
•  Pared rind 1 orange

Method

Cut the blade steak into 5cm cubes. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and brown the meat over a moderately high heat until well browned. Transfer to a casserole. This is best done in 2-3 batches.

Add the onions or shallots to the pan and cook for about 3 minutes, before adding the garlic and cooking a further minute.

Sprinkle the flour over and stir well to coat the onions. Gradually pour in the Guinness and beef stock and bring to the boil to make a smooth sauce. Pour over the meat in the casserole and then mix in the bacon, thyme, prunes and orange rind.

Cook at 160°C for 1½ - 2 hours or until the meat is tender. Serve over mashed potatoes.