Ingredients

Serves 4/5

Prep time 2 hours

For the stew

• 800g diced stewing beef
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion - peeled and chopped
• 3 carrots - peeled & cut into 1inch pieces
• 2 sticks celery - cut into 1 inch chunks
• 1/2 turnip - cut into chunks
• 1 clove garlic - crushed
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• 400ml beef stock - hot
• 200ml ale
• Sprig thyme
• 2 bayleaves
• 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• Chopped parsley for garnish
• Salt and pepper

For the dumplings

• 150g self raising flour
• 75g vegetable suet
• 1 tablespoon chopped chives
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 110mls ice cold water
• Salt and pepper

Method

1. To make the dumplings mix the flour, herbs and suet together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Make a well in the centre and add the cold water in stages until the mixture forms a soft dough. Form 12 even sized balls and keep until needed.
3. Preheat the oven to 150C. Toss the beef meat in flour and season with salt and pepper. Shake off excess flour.
4. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a casserole dish and fry the beef in batches until browned all over.
5. Remove the beef and add 1 tablespoon of oil to the dish. Add the onions and garlic and fry till softened but not brown.
6. Add the carrots, celery and turnips and lightly brown.
7. Add the tomato puree and coat all the vegetables in the puree.
8. Add the beef, pour in the ale and bring to a simmer.
9. Add the hot beef stock and Worcestershire sauce and bring back to the boil.
10. Add the thyme and bay leaves. Season with a little salt and pepper. Place the lid on top and put in the preheated oven for 1.5 hours or until the beef and vegetables are tender. You could do this on the stove top either by just cooking the beef at a low simmer for the same time.
11. 15 minutes before the beef is cooked, add the dumplings to the stew and return to the oven. They will double in size during the cooking process.
12. Once cooked remove from the oven and check the seasoning. Ladle the stew into serving bowls. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve. Happy cooking!