Book of Days Tales

The September Declaration (Dutch: Septemberverklaring) is the annual government policy statement of Flanders in the form of a speech by the Minister-President of Flanders to the members of the Flemish Parliament. The Declaration, drafted by the Flemish Government, informs Parliament (and citizens) about the general state of Flemish society, and the main policy and budget plans for the next year. It happens on the 4th Monday in September. Here is a classic Flemish beef stew:

Ingredients

600 gm beef chopped in chunks
1 onion, peeled and diced
1 slice bread
1 tablespoon Flemish mustard
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 bottle Flemish dark beer
100 ml beef stock (+extra)
1 tablespoon red currant jelly
1 teaspoon nutmeg
2 bay leaves
1 sprig fresh thyme and rosemary
salt and pepper

Instructions

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large cast iron type of pan, sauté the onions until soft, remove and reserve.

Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan, season the meat with salt and pepper and sear over medium heat a few chunks at time. Dust with flour from time to time when turning the meat over and continue searing. remove the meat and reserve with the onions.

Add the beer to the pan and turn up the heat, bring to a boil. Scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the casserole. Add the beef and onions back in along with the red currant jelly, nutmeg, bay leaves, rosemary, and thyme. Make sure the beef is fully submerged, add more stock if needed. Stir and bring to a simmer.

Spread the mustard on the slice of bread on both sides and place on top of the beef. This will disintegrate completely adding flavor and help thicken the sauce.

Simmer the stew covered with the lid for 1 ½  hours, stirring every 30 minutes. Then remove the lid and simmer for another 30 minutes until the sauce has thickened, remove from the heat.

The stew can be served immediately with fried or boiled potatoes. It can also be refrigerated overnight and reheated the next day. This will improve the flavors. My usual course of action with all soups and stews.