Valentines Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Many people feel that valentines is just too commercial and an excuse for people to make money. But let’s not lose sight of the fact it’s nice to have an opportunity to show that special someone how much you love them and be romantic. Although we can do this at any time, with busy lives we tend to not always make the time.

If your working and don’t have time to cook an elaborate romantic dinner I have just the recipe for you!

My fabulous slow cooked beef in red wine . The best thing about this recipe is there is no pre cooking, no searing or sealing the meat. You literally just chuck it in the slow cooker. It really could not be easier and by the evening you have a very sumptuous meal that smells incredible and taste even better.

I use liners in my slow cooker so that cuts down on the washing up too!

Personally I tend to prep my beef the night before, I literally sling everything in a bowl, and then in the morning I throw it in the slow cooker, switch it on and leave. My man loves this dish, especially when served with mash potatoes and steamed veg. The tender pieces of beef served in the rich red wine sauce is the food of love.

We all know what they say about the way to a mans heart , well this dish is almost definitely the way there with minimal effort.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/4 kg. braising beef, cut into 5-cm pieces Salt Freshly ground black pepper 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 tbsp. butter 300 ml dry red wine 3 tbsp. tomato pureé 2 Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 2.5-cm cubes 3 carrots, chopped into 2.5-cm pieces 3 celery stalks, chopped into 2.5-cm pieces 2 onions, chopped into quarters 50 g chopped sun-dried tomatoes 4 cloves garlic, crushed 1 large rosemary sprig 450 ml low-sodium beef stock 800 g tin chopped tomatoes Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

Literally, pop it all into a bag and in the fridge overnight and the next morning, dump it all into your slow cooker and cook it on low for up to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours until the meat is nice and tender.

Serve it in bowls at a candlelit table and ouila!

Follow my step by step guide to tantalise your man or woman's tastebuds this valentines. It will look as though you have slaved for hours over a hot stove, but Ssshhh our secret!