Feeding the Inner Mammal: Chilli

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Provençal daube

SM 2002-02 pp.90,93 [01.072.02]
Serves 6–8
Preparation / Cooking time: marinate for 24h, then about 4h prep/cooking

Ingredients
1.25kg (2lb 12 oz) lean topside, cut into large cubes (5cm/2in)
3 carrots, peeled and cut into rounds
3 medium onions, peeled and coarsely chopped
3 large cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
6 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley
3 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
2.5cm (1in) wide strip orange peel, about 7.5cm (3in) long
2 tablespoons Cognac or brandy
510ml (18fl oz) full-bodied red wine, plus extra if needed
6 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for browning
1 x 130g pack pancetta cubetti
2 rounded tablespoons tomato puree
1 small dried red chilli
1 x 284ml tub fresh beef stock
1 x 250g pack portabella mushrooms
salt and coarsely ground black pepper

Method
Put the meat in a large bowl with the carrots, onions and garlic. Tie the herbs into a bundle with fine string and push into the meat. Add the orange strip and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Pour over the Cognac or brandy, wine, and 4 tablespoons of oil and cover with cling-film.

Marinate for at least 24 hours in the fridge.

Pre-heat the oven to 140°C, 275°F, gas mark 1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large frying pan, add the pancetta cubetti, and brown. Transfer to a large casserole. Take the meat cubes out of the marinade, dry with kitchen paper, and brown them in the pan in batches, adding a little more oil as necessary; then transfer to the casserole.

Take the vegetables out of the bowl using a slotted spoon, and fry these in the meaty fat in the pan until lightly browned (about 5 minutes). Put these in the casserole as well, and add the herb bundle, the strip of orange and the tomato puree. Crumble in the dried chilli.

Pour the marinade and beef stock into the frying pan, bring to a simmer, and pour over the contents of the casserole. Cover and transfer to the lower part of the oven for 3–3½ hours, or until the meat is really tender. Check from time to time that the meat is not drying out and, if necessary, add a little more wine. (You can cook the dish up to this stage the day before, if you wish. Chill overnight and re-heat. Bring to a simmer, then transfer to a 170°C, 325°F, gas mark 3 oven for 25 minutes, or until heated through.)

Wipe the mushrooms, then slice and cook in a frying pan with the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add these to the casserole, and cook for ten minutes more. Remove the herb bundle before serving. Serve with egg tagliatelle, tossed in butter and grated parmesan.

© Sainsbury's Magazine

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