Rich ox cheek stew

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 150°C/fan 130°C/gas In a flameproof casserole that will fit the wine and ox cheeks snugly and has a lid, melt the butter over a medium heat.

Step 2

Roll the ox cheeks in the seasoned flour, then pat off any excess. When the butter sizzles, add the meat – it should sizzle as soon as it enters the casserole. Cook, turning, until well browned all over. (You may need to do this in batches.) Take care not to burn the butter.

Step 3

Remove the meat and set aside. Add the lardons and fry until lightly coloured. Add the onions and the bay leaves and cook for 6-8 minutes until the onions are just soft. Stir in the garlic, then the tomato purée. Stir occasionally until the purée starts to catch the bottom of the pan, then cook, stirring, for 3 minutes.

Step 4

Add the wine, then return the meat to the casserole. Bring the stew to barely a simmer, then cover and put to the oven. Cook for 5 hours or until the cheeks are tender when prodded with a cutlery knife. Turn the cheeks occasionally during the cooking time.

Step 5

Stir through the salt, then serve with mash and veg, if you like.