Braised Beef with Honey and Almonds

Hi all,

I had a request for a beef Crockpot recipe. This one is quite delicious and a bit unusual. I like using the crock pot because you can throw everything into the pot first thing in the morning, turn it on, and when you walk in the door at the end of the day you are greeting with the warm smells of dinner. This recipe is adapted from Mark Bittman's, The Best Recipes in the World.

2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion roughly chopped

Put the oil in the crockpot if it has a removable liner that is stove top safe. Otherwise use a large deep pot or pan. Heat the oil over medium heat, add the onion and cook for about 10 minutes, until the onion is soft.

2 pounds stew meat or chuck roast cut into 1 to 2 inch chunks, remove excess fat
Salt and Pepper

Remove cooked onion with a slotted spoon, set aside. Add just enough meat to not crowd. (Alternately, you can brown the meat on a rimmed oiled cookie sheet in a 400 degree oven. I like to do it this way it seems much faster.) Brown the meat, turning as necessary, it will take 3 or 4 minutes per batch. Salt and pepper the meat. Total time to brown meat will be 10 to 15 minutes. In the oven it will take about as long.

1/2 cup honey
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon coriander
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon caraway
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon fennel
1 cup stock (or water with a bouillon cube)

Add the above ingredients into crock pot, along with the meat, and onions. Mix. Set crock pot on low for all day or according to manufacturer's instructions. Just before serving.

1 cup whole almonds (I have used sliced or slivered)
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Brown the almonds either in the oven or in a small frying pan over medium heat shaking to prevent burning. Add almonds and lemon juice just before serving. This is delicious with rice and a green vegetable. Hope you enjoy this! And enjoy the delicious smells when you walk in the door at the end of a long day.

Hugs,
Mameekosan