Shin of Beef Stew in Ale with Crusted Mustard and Chive Dumplings
Ingredients
2 lb (900 g) shin or stewing beef
1 x 500 ml bottle pale ale
1½ oz (40 g) plain flour, seasoned with 1 level teaspoon salt and some freshly milled black pepper
12 oz (350 g) carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
12 oz (350 g) swede, peeled, cut into ½ inch (1 cm) slices and then into chunks a similar size to the carrots
4 small onions (8 oz/225 g total weight), peeled and left whole
3 good sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
salt and freshly milled black pepper
For the dumplings:
1 heaped teaspoon mustard powder
1 heaped tablespoon snipped chives
6 oz (175 g) self-raising flour
3 oz (75 g) shredded suet
2 level teaspoons grain mustard
salt and freshly milled black pepper
Method
First of all, put the seasoned flour into a large bowl. Then, simply cut the meat into 2 inch (5 cm) chunks and dip each piece into the seasoned flour, giving them all a good coating and, as you do this, arrange the pieces on a plate. Then, toss all the prepared vegetables into the remaining flour so these all get a coating as well. Now, arrange the meat and vegetables in the casserole, tucking the vegetables around the meat as it goes in. Next, add the herbs, a little more seasoning, then pour the ale over everything and place the casserole over direct heat. Bring everything up to a gentle simmer, then cover the casserole with a tight-fitting lid, placing a sheet of foil under the lid to get a good seal. Next, place the casserole in the pre-heated oven, on the middle shelf, and give it 4½ hours cooking time.
After that, remove it from the oven, turn the oven temperature up to gas mark 6, 400°F (200°C) and then make the dumplings. To do this, sift the flour, mustard powder and a little salt together, then add the suet and the chives and a good seasoning of freshly milled black pepper. Now mix the grain mustard with 3 tablespoons of cold water together in a separate bowl, sprinkle it over the dry ingredients and, first using a knife and finally your hands, bring it together to a soft dough, adding a little more water if you need it.
To make the dumplings, divide the dough into 8 and simply roll them into little rounds using the palms of your hands. After that, pop them into the casserole and then return it to the highest shelf of the oven, this time without a lid, and cook for another 25-30 minutes or until the dumplings are golden brown and crusty.
