members recipes

Ingredients
Serves 6

800g cubed beef, suitable for braising
1 large onion, roughly chopped
3 med carrots, cut into thick slices
1/2 small celeriac, cut into cubes
1 bunch of parsley, chopped
1 bottle (500ml) of ale (or any strong beer)
500ml beef stock
4 allspice berries + a few sprigs of thyme (tied
up in a muslin bag)
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
about 2 tbsp of flour
A little oil frying

For the dumplings:
1 1/2 cupfuls of plain flour (approx 170g)
1 heaped tsp baking powder
2 heaped tbsp cold butter, cut into small cubes
1/2 cupful of mature cheddar, grated
1 small bunch of chives, chopped
A little salt to season
approx 1/4 cup milk

Method
Preheat oven to 150C.

1. Heat a few tbsps of oil in a large, heavy based casserole pot. Add the meat and fry over a medium/high heat till browned. Remove from the pot.
2. Add another dash of oil to the pan and throw in the onion, carrots and celeriac. Fry over a medium heat, till onions have softened.
3. Return the meat to the pan, then sprinkle with the flour. Fry over a low heat for about 1 minute before adding all of the herbs and spices.
4. Pour in the beer and stock and bring to the boil. Cover and cook in the oven at 150C, for approx. 3 hours (see step 5). Remove the herb bag.
5. About 30 mins before the end of cooking, lay the dumplings over the stew, cover then continue cooking.

Preparing the dumplings:

1. In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and butter. Rub the mixture between your fingers until the mixture resembles large breadcrumbs.
2. Add the grated cheese and the chives, mixing together with a fork.
3. Pour in the milk, bit by bit, mixing with a fork. You may need a little more milk depending on the quality of your flour, just make sure the mixture isn\'t too wet.
4.Divide the mixture into 12 balls, rolling them very gently in your hands before placing them onto the stew.
5. Cook as above.