Steak Provencal

Serves 4

Cooking time 2-3 hrs

preparation time  15 Min's

Ingredients

2 tablespoons oil
4 slices of stewing/braising steak (approx. 150-200g per person)
1/2 Onion - sliced
2 cloves garlic - crushed
2 carrots - peeled and cut into cubes
2 sticks celery - finely sliced or chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme
4 anchovy fillets - finely chopped
1 heaped tablespoon flour
2 tablespoons Marsala or sweet white wine
300ml red wine
200ml water
1 beef stock cube
1 tablespoon tomato puree
4 x good sprigs of parsley


Method

1) Heat the oil in a deep sided saucepan until very hot and then brown the meat briskly on both sides.  Remove the meat to an ovenproof dish or roasting tin and then, adding a little more oil, add the onions, carrots, celery, anchovies and thyme.  Turn the heat down.  Put a lid on the pan and allow to cook for 10 minutes.

2)  Add the Marsala, red wine and garlic.

3) Bring to the boil and pour over the meat.  Cover well with foil and bake for 2-3 hours or until the meat is really tender.

4) When the meat is cooked, remove with a slotted spoon.  Wrap the meat in foil parcels of 4 steaks at a time and keep in a warm place.  Transfer the juices and vegetables to a saucepan and allow the fats to come to the surface.  Sieve the flour over the surface and wait for the flour to turn translucent.  Stir in the flour and bring to the boil.  If the flavour is good but the liquid too watery, then thicken with a teaspoon of cornflour mixed with cold water.  Repeat if necessary.  This can be cooked to this point ahead of time and re-heated with the meat, slowly for about 15 minutes in a saucepan.

To Serve

Place the steak on top of a pile of glazed carrots in the centre of the plate.  Spoon the gravy around and over the steak.  Garnish with parsley leaves.


Chefs Tip: Don't miss out the anchovies the final taste will not be of fish whatsoever, it will simply melt into the dish giving it a really rounded savoury flavour.