Temperatures have finally started to drop here in sunny Queensland. Last night it got down to 7C (44F), Ollie was in his new sleeping bag for bed time and Will and I started our bi-annual argument over who will change the doona insert for the warm one (it’s one of my least favourite chores).
Despite the fact that it has only just gotten chilly, I’ve had the slow cooker going for a few weeks now.
Last week I threw a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker and seven hours later, something delicious was waiting for me. It never ceases to amaze me how you can put together just a few different things and end up with something so tasty. Apologies for the shocking photos. I didn’t think this would be that good so just snapped a few Instagram pics.
The recipe suggested serving it with mashed potato but I took it one step further. I divided the meat between ramekins, smooshed it up a little bit, topped it with some parmesan mash, sprayed it with a little olive oil and baked until golden – perfect mid-week winter dinner. Enjoy!
What about you? Have you brought out the slow cooker yet? Northern Hemispherers – have you guys started barbecuing?
Slow cooker beef with mushrooms
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large brown onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 kg chuck or blade beef cut into 3cm cubes
- 250g button mushrooms, thickly sliced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped into chunks
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (or 2 tsp dry)
- 3/4 cup red wine
- 3/4 cup beef stock
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a frying pan and cook the onion and garlic until soft.
- Transfer to the bowl of a slow cooker and add all the other ingredients then stir it all together.
- Set to high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours.
- Remove the lid and cook for another hour on high.
- If the sauce is too thin you can take out a little, stir a tablespoon of corn flour into it and then put it back in the pot but make sure you cook it for at least another 30 minutes after adding the cornflour.
- Serve with mashed potato or to make little pies, mash the beef a little to shred it then place in ramekins and top with mashed potato.
- Spray the tops with olive oil and bake at 180C (360F) fan-forced for 20 minutes or until the tops are golden.
i change my doonah cover often but not the actual doonah itself. we have a goose feather one which seems to work well all year. we just throw it off if it gets too hot! the American way of changing covers is very easy. our american friend showed us how many years ago and i do it this way ever since.:)
Off to Google the American way Sherry!
Hi Claire, I have recently subscribed to your website and have thoroughly enjoyed what you have been posting. I look forward to reading where you have been and what you have been cooking. I live in Tassie and my slow cooker nearly leaves out on my granite bench, as I seem to enjoy all the slow cooker meals because our weather here is quite cool. I have started even cooking my chicken in the slow cooker so I can go out and leave it in there and it’s always so beautifully tender and juicy. I wish I had have done this years ago when I was working and my 3 sons were younger. Thanks Claire for your website and you will have so much enjoyment with Ollie, wait until you have 3 of him.
I need to buy a slow cooker! Yes, the temperatures have dropped here too and it happened very suddenly. I love the look of your beef with mushrooms and this is certainly a very comforting dish xx
Yes Charlie, yes you do! It would be perfect for you. x
I just absolutely love winter for this one and only reason, slow cooked beef!
Isn’t it wonderful?
Looks delicious and very warming, Claire! I’m not a fan of the slow cooker, but I’m pretty sure this would work well in the oven too!
Oh really Celia? I’m not brave enough to slow cook in the oven!
Thanks for the inspiration! Love to use the slow cooker and will give this a shot tomorrow… Will load it up with mushrooms for my mushroom lovers!
Even instagram photos can’t hurt this gorgeous meal! I love this sort of meal in the winter.
Haha it’s perfect isn’t it?
Hehe I’m bringing it out tomorrow! And hubby has to change the doona because I’m not tall enough and it’s easier if you are taller. Would that work in your favour? :)
That’s totally my argument too! I have to stand on the bed and it’s so hard!