6 minute read
Recipes
CARBONADE DE BOEUF
Serves 4 hungry souls
Food for thought
I’m sure there’s something I have to remember in November. Around the fifth, I think. No, it’s gone. I’m sure it will come to me. Perhaps it was a reminder to think of all the lovely things that we can enjoy in November, despite its rather dismal reputation.
This is very much the time for donning the wellies and going out into the North Wales countryside trudging through conker-strewn lanes, ideally en route to a pub with a fire crackling away in the hearth.
There’s also the immense pleasure one can take in defiantly resisting any mention of Christmas until the first day of next month, thwarting the best efforts of supermarkets trying to sell you mince pies with expiry dates that don’t even take them past Bonfire Night (oh, that’s right, now I remember).
For me, November is all about the kind of slow cooked meals that make you glow like something from an old Ready Brek commercial. The French are masters of this. Cassoulets and Bakeofes are staples over there in the autumn. I recently made a variation on a recipe Mum used to make in Paysanne called a Carbonade de Boeuf, which is based on a Flemish recipe, given a local touch by using Clogwyn Gold ale instead of Dutch beer…
J Olive oil J 800g braising steak. I used some bavette steak from R. Evans in
Llandudno, which had been trimmed and cut into large chunks J Plain flour J 1 500ml bottle of beer or ale – your choice! J 1 large onion, peeled and sliced J 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped J 2 Bay leaves Preheat the oven to about 150˚C (FAN). You’ll need a good quality casserole (with a lid) that you can put over a direct heat. Heat some olive oil in the casserole and patiently brown the beef chunks three at a time. Put the browned meat into a separate bowl while you repeat the process. Once all the beef is in that bowl, toss the onion slices into the casserole and cook slowly golden. Add the chopped garlic and stir in.
Then put the beef back into the casserole and mix everything up. Sprinkle in a tablespoon of flour and stir until all the juices have been
Cai Ross is co-owner and Maitre d’ of the award-winning Paysanne Bistro in Deganwy, which has been serving French country-style food to the fine people of North Wales since 1988. He also writes for Calibre Magazine, BBC Good Food, HeyUGuys.com and The North Wales Weekly News
absorbed. Then add the beer, heat until is all starts to bubble, give it one last stir, then add the bay leaves, some salt and pepper, and pop the lid on.
Stick it in the oven for about two and a half hours and let it fill the house with drool-inducing aromas. I
think this is best served with a mashed potato dish like Colcannon, and perhaps some carrots (which you can even stir in at the end). You can steal a tip from Delia and make some toasted croutes with mustard spread on top to give it that je ne sais quoi. n
PENRHYN BAY RHOS ON SEA
£89,950
• NO CHAIN • One Bedroom First Floor Retirement Apartment • Convenient Location & Close To Local Amenities • Part Of A Well Maintained Development RP2854 EPC Band C £159,950
• One Bedroom Second Floor Apartment • Part Of A Well Maintained Development • Enjoys Spectacular Sea Views • Allocated Parking Space
EPC F
RHOS ON SEA COLWYN BAY
£139,950 Reduced From £149,950 • NO CHAIN • One Bedroom Ground Floor Apartment • Situated Close To The Amenities Of Rhos on Sea • Garden To Front & Rear £359,950
• Beautifully Presented Four Bedroom Detached House • Modern Open Plan Kitchen/Diner • Situated Close To Local Amenities • Off Road Parking & Garage
LLANDUDNO JUNCTION LLANDUDNO JUNCTION
£450,000
• Immaculately Presented Four Bedroom Detached Home • Situated In A Highly Sought After Location • South Facing Rear Garden • Good Size Driveway & Double Garage With Electric Car Charging Point £395,000
• Four Bedroom Detached Home With Garage • Open Plan Living Space With Conservatory • Immaculately Presented • Situated In A Popular And Convenient Location
EPC F
LLANDUDNO JUNCTION LLANDUDNO JUNCTION
£380,000
• Four Bedroom Detached Home With Garage • Open Plan Living Space With Conservatory • Immaculately Presented • Situated In A Popular And Convenient Location offers over £290,000
• Immaculate Two Bedroom Detached Bungalow • Situated On The Edge Of The Village • Beautiful Landscaped Gardens • Views Over Conwy Mountain And Marl Hall Woods
Abergele
Ref: WR11200
£350,000
• Four Bedroom Detached House • Castle Green Development
• Off Street Parking & Integral Garage • Open-Plan Living
• Large Rear Garden • Within Close Proximity to A55
• Well Presented & Modern Throughout • EPC Rating – B 84
Betws Gwerfil Goch £1,400,000
Ref: RH1697
• Gorgeous Detached Extended Farmhouse • Approx 10 Acres of Land
• Stables and Menage • Private and Rural Location
• Outstanding Hillside Views • Immaculate Throughout
• Having Undergone Recent Renovations • EPC Rating – TBC
Gwernymynydd Offers in Excess of £250,000
Ref: WM1192
• Two Bedroom Semi Detached Family Home • Additional Loft Room
• Walking Distance to Loggerheads Country Park • Off Street Parking
• Benefitting a Modern Kitchen with Breakfast Area • Well Presented Throughout
• Lovely Rear Courtyard • EPC Rating - TBC
Lleweni £495,000
Ref: WE7444
Tremeirchion £349,000
Ref: WE7437
• Five Bedroom Property • Contemporary Converted Corn Barn
• Set Within Private Landscaped Gardens • Quiet, Rural Location
• Gorgeous Views Towards the Clwydian Hills • Double Garage
• Master Bedroom with Ensuite • EPC Rating – D 60 • Four Bedroom Stone Built Cottage • Full of Character Throughout
• Gorgeous Views of the Welsh Countryside • Sought After Village Location
• Private Rear Gardens • Open-Plan Kitchen/Living Room • Two Sitting Rooms • EPC Rating – E 45
Mostyn From £174,950
Ref: WP9611
• Recently Renovated into Five Luxury Homes • Semi-Rural Location
• Enjoying Panoramic Views of the Dee Estuary • Allocated Parking
• All Individually Designed for Modern Day Living • Close to Amenities
• All Appreciating Their Own Individual Characteristics • EPC Rating - TBC
