When I have friends or family come to lunch then my favourite Recipe is a Casserole. You can prepare it before anyone arrives and then leave it cooking in the oven whilst you spend time with your visitors.
My favourite casserole recipe is pasted into my recipe book (inherited from my great-grandmother) - I've had it so long I can't remember where it came from - one of those leaflets you pick up in a supermarket (possibly Safeway guessing from the age of those clippings).
Cupid's Casserole
Serves 4
Ingredients
450g of diced braising steak
160g to of bacon lardons
1 tsp oil
1 tbsp flour
175ml red wine
300ml beef stock
1clove of crushed garlic
1 bouquet garni
20 peeled shallot onions
Heat the oven to gas mark 3
Heat the oil in a large saucepan
Brown the beef and sprinkle in the flour
Cook gently for 1-2 minutes
Stir in the wine, stock, garlic and bouquet garni
Blend and then transfer to a casserole dish
Fry the lardons, and add the onions
Cook for five minutes
Transfer to the casserole dish, discarding any fat
Cook in the oven for two hours
Any accompaniment goes well with this, some boiled potatoes and vegetables make a great meal.
