After very warm begining of November, cold is finally aproaching. No surprise there since eventually it had to come. Listening to weather forecast also helps being prepared. Woollen socks and sweaters became my best friends again, especially during those long evenings when I can just sit and enjoy a good book, or challenge my boyfriend to a game of monopoly. But a hearty meal is also something I wouldn’t want to miss. And here is a little something for the cold days. True, it takes a while to cook. But it’s enough time to beat someone in scrabble or check Facebook. And believe me, the taste (and smell) is definitely very rewarding.

To serve 4 (or two VERY hungry people) you need:

500g lean beef ( you can also use lamb)

2 medium onions

3 garlic cloves

7 bigger potatoes

150g kabanos, or other sausages

3 tbsp olive oil

2tbsp hot pepper

400ml passata

200ml stock

salt and pepper

sprig of parsley

Preheat the oven to 150º. Clean the meat and cut into ca 2cm big cubes. Peel the onion, halve, and cut into stripes. Peel the garlic and cut into small pieces. Wash the potatoes, don’t peel them and cut in halves. Cut the kabanos in thick pieces.

Pour the oil into a pan, add the beef and sear it. Add the onions, garlic and potatoes and let it cook together for while. Add the kabanos and pepper, pour the stock and passata and mix well. Let it boil for few minutes. Add salt to taste.

Pour the ragout into a big casserole dish, cover the lid and put it into the oven for ca 90min. If the casserole dish is not big enough, you can try an oven proof pot and cover it with aluminium foil.

Wash the parsley, cut and sprinkle over the ragout.