Braised Beef with Mushrooms
1 kg piece Quality Mark topside in the piece
1 onion, peeled and sliced
250 grams mushrooms, quartered
3-4 bacon rashers, diced
2-3 whole cloves garlic, peeled
1-3 bay leaves (optional)
1 cup red wine or beef stock
2 tbsp cornflour
1/4 cup extra stock or water
1. Season the beef well with salt, pepper and oil. Brown on all sides in a hot frying pan.
2. Scatter the onion, mushrooms, bacon, garlic and bay leaves, if using, in the base of a casserole or lasagne dish and sit the beef on top. Pour in the wine or stock.
3. Cover and place in a 160C oven for 30-35 minutes per 500 grams. Remove the beef and allow to stand for 10 minutes. This is for medium rare. For well done beef allow 40-45 minutes per 500 grams.
4. Transfer the mushrooms, onion, wine etc to a saucepan. Mix the cornflour to a paste with a little extra stock or water and stir into the onion and mushroom. Stir and cook until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.