What she’d tell you
Twenty minutes before you leave the house, and then nothing at all. You walk back in at six and the deciding, the cooking and the smell have all already happened without you.
What you need
Written for 8. Change that in the app and the amounts follow.
Tick things off as you get them ready.
Continue to the method ↓
How it goes
Season the beef all over and brown it hard in the oil in a frying pan: all sides, about 8 minutes total.
Put the beef in the slow cooker with the halved potatoes, thickly cut carrots, quartered onions, garlic, thyme and bay leaves.
Whisk the broth with the tomato paste and Worcestershire and pour it over. It should come about halfway up, no further.
Lid on. Low for 8 hours, or high for 5.
Lift the beef and vegetables out. Whisk the flour into a little cold water, stir it into the liquid, and let it thicken on high for 10 minutes.
Pull the beef apart in big pieces and spoon the gravy over.
If you haven’t got it
Beef Chuck
brisket or shin, both of which want the same long hours
Worcestershire Sauce
soy sauce and a splash of vinegar
Keeping it
Four days in the fridge, in its gravy.
Low heat on the hob until steaming. Freezes for four months.
