BEEF STEW USING TWO POWER LEVELS

Ingredients you need:

30ml (2 tbs)  oil
2 medium-sized onions, peeled and thinly sliced
2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
250ml (1 cup) beef stock (use a beef stock cube)
125ml (1/2 cup) flour
300g stewing beef
2 large potatoes, peeled and cut in chunks
5ml (1 tsp) marjoram
salt to taste
pepper to taste


1st power level 100% (high)


1. Place oil in a large casserole dish, add onions and carrots, toss well and microwave, uncovered, on 100% (high) power for six minutes.
2. Add stock.  Mix flour to a paste with a little water and stir gradually into vegetable mixture, taking care not to make lumps.
3. Add meat and microwave, uncovered, on 100% (high) power for eight to 10 minutes, or until simmering.

2nd power level 50% (medium)


4. Add potatoes, marjoram and seasoning.  Stir until salt has dissolved and microwave, uncovered, on 50% (medium) power for plus minus one hour, or until meat is tender.  Stir frequently during cooking cycle.
5. For best cooking results, bring potatoes to centre towards end of cooking time.

Variations

This is a basic recipe and you can add mushrooms, herbs and spices of your choice, peas.  It is also a good method to use to make a curry or a bredie.

Hints for success

To microwave a stew successfully you should bear two important points in mind.

*  \Never use a power level higher than 50% (medium) power once the stew has started to simmer.
*   Always keep the meat submerged in liquid throughout the cooking time.  A thickening agent such as flour, can be added at the beginning of the cooking cycle, but the stew should be stirred frequently.
*   Some varieties of potatoes cook more quickly than others, so keep an eye on them and remove them as soon as they are done.  Keep warm and add just before serving.

Serves 4 to 6