Celebrate Labor Day With A Mouthful Of This Yummy Beef Casserole

Labor Day, observed every year on the first Monday of September, is held in high regard in the U.S. because it is dedicated to all the laborers of the country. Similarly, it is also a most coveted food holiday during which a variety of mouthwatering dishes are shared and enjoyed.

To mark the occasion, people host a festive cookout and beef casserole is one of the many meals expected at this event.

There is no better way to spend a Labor Day weekend than having friends over. Food is an important part of any social gathering, so it's time to try beyond the standard recipes and create something phenomenal for your Labor Day cookout.

Labor Day marks the "unofficial end of summer" which means summer's best ingredients can still be used to craft an unforgettable party menu. Beef makes any menu better and with it, spectacular meals can be prepared as far as the main course is concerned.

Here's a special gourmet lunchtime beef recipe that will leave your guests thoroughly impressed.

Beef Casserole recipe: (Courtesy: BBC Good Food)

This comforting beef recipe comes with loads of veggies and is best had with rice. The dish requires slow cooking, which guarantees the tenderest meat and rich, aromatic gravy.

Ingredients:

2 Celery sticks, thickly sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, halved lengthwise
5 bay leaves
2 thyme sprigs (one whole and one leaf picked)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons plain flour
2 tablespoons tomato puree
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 beef stock cubes
850 grams of beef, cut into large chunks

Procedure:

Heat oven to 160 degrees Celsius. Boil 600 milliliters of water in a kettle.

Place two thickly sliced celery sticks, one chopped onion, two chunkily sliced carrots, five-bay leaves and one whole thyme sprig in a fire-resistant casserole greased with oil.

Let cook for 10 minutes and stir in two tablespoons of plain flour until fully dissolved. Follow this step by adding two tablespoons of tomato purée, two tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce and two crumbled beef stock cubes.

Gradually stir in 600 milliliters of hot water and add the 850 grams of stewing beef and bring it to a simmer. Cover and cook for two hours thirty minutes, then uncover to check for taste and meat tenderness. If not yet ready, cook for another thirty minutes, making sure the meat is tender and the gravy is thickened.

Garnish with leaves of thyme sprig. Your beef casserole is ready to serve.