Beef and Onions Braised in Beer Recipe (Carbonnades à la Flamande)

Simple but effective and popular with the whole family, Beef and Onions Braised in Beer is actually a French recipe of origin, where it is known as "Carbonnades à la Flamande". To keep the whole meal easy, serve with just buttered noodles or a few carrots and green beans. Beef and Onions Braised in Beer is one of those heart-warming dishes that taste equally as good whether eaten for lunch or dinner, summer or winter.

How to make Beef and Onions Braised in Beer:

Cut the steak into 4" x 2" (10cm x 5cm) strips. Season the flour with the salt and freshly ground pepper and coat the meat in the flour. Heat the oil in a large pan, add the meat and fry over a medium heat, turning from time to time, until it is lightly browned on all sides. Remove from the pan and put to one side.

Peel and slice the onions. After removing the meat, place the onions in the pan and cook on a low eat until they are golden brown. Meanwhile, peel and crush (mince) the garlic. Return the meat to the pan and add the crushed garlic, beef stock, beer and salt and pepper to taste. Bring this to the boil then add the sugar and the bouquet garni.

Transfer everything to an ovenproof casserole dish and cook in a preheated moderate oven at Mk 3 - 325ºF - 160ºC for for about 2½ hours until the meat is very tender. Remove the bouquet garni and stir in the red wine vinegar. Transfer to a warmed serving dish and sprinkle with chopped parsley

* If you have don't have the time or inclination to make a beef stock, you can substitute a beef stock cube dissolved in 10 fl oz (300ml - ½pt) of hot water.