Beef Tsimmes

Serves 8-10 depending on whether you add dumplings - Kneidel

Easy to prepare in the microwave but its even better if you slow cook overnight

I know this is a lot of people but I often use this if I am having a crowd back after shul, as you could cook it on an even lower light over night. Or just freeze half

Vegetable oil for browning the meat
1 kilo (2.2lb) chuck or stewing beef
220g (7oz) onion .
1 kilo (2.2lb) carrots
1 kilo (2.21b) potatoes
Juice of 2 oranges
450g (1lb) pitted prunes
Tin of apricots in water or apple juice or
220g (7oz) dried apricots soaked for 4 hours in apple juice
300ml (10fl oz) of water/stock if cooking conventionally
2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional)
3 tablespoons of ground almonds (this is your thickening agent)
Seasoning
1 tsp each cumin and cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger

Slice the onion, carrots and potatoes. Cut the meat into cubes

In a large pan or casserole dish that you can use on the hob and in oven, brown onion and meat in the oil. Place all the remaining ingredients in casserole, finishing with the tinned apricots.

Add about 300ml (10fl oz) of water/stock if cooking conventionally heat through on top of hob. Transfer to a slow oven and cook at 150ºC fan, 165ºC, 325ºF, Gas Mark 3, Moderately Slow for about 3½ hours or at a lower temperature overnight.

Alternatively after browning; microwave for 15 minutes on high and then 45 minutes on medium, stand for 10 minutes.

Serve with green vegetables. If you really want to be stodgy you can make some kneide l and serve with red cabbage and mango