Classic Beef & Bacon Casserole

Ingredients

This one-pot dish is a filling winter warmer everyone at the party will love. Serves 6-8

Give this aromatic dish something special to work with; serve it with a glass of something bold like Glenmorangie The Original, or even the smooth Hennessy VS Cognac.

In a large, heavy-based stovetop pan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil, then sauté the onion, garlic, celery and carrot for 3-4 minutes over a medium low heat until soft and fragrant. Remove from the saucepan and set aside.
In the same pan, add the remaining oil to heat, then add the bacon and beef and cook in batches until the meat is seared and browned. Add the wine, and cook until it's almost evaporated.
Add the carrot/celery mix back to the saucepan, stir in the flour and cook for a few minutes. Add the beef stock and tinned tomatoes, along with the herbs and a light seasoning. Cover and simmer for around an hour, then remove the lid and simmer for a further hour.
When the beef is tender, add the lentils and simmer for 5 minutes. Season well and add chopped parsley if desired. Serve with crusty bread and winter salad greens like baby kale or spinach.