Mary Berry Beef and Ale Stew with Horseradish Spiral Dumplings

You will need a 4-litre (7-pint) deep flameproof and ovenproof casserole dish with a lid. Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°C fan/Gas 3.

Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in the casserole dish, add the beef and brown all over on a high heat – you will need to do this in batches, removing the meat with a slotted spoon as it is cooked and setting aside.

Pour in a little more oil if needed and add the shallots with the carrots and mushrooms. Stir-fry over a high heat for 4–5 minutes.

Measure the flour into a bowl and gradually whisk in the ale, slowly at first to make a smooth paste before adding the rest of the ale.

Return the meat to the casserole dish, then pour in the flour mixture and the stock. Stir over a high heat until the liquid is thickened and bubbling. Add the onion marmalade/chutney, Worcestershire sauce, gravy browning (if using) and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper, then stir as you bring back up to the boil and allow to bubble for a couple of minutes. Cover with the lid and transfer to the oven to cook for 2–2½ hours or until the meat is tender.

To make the dumplings, measure the flour and suet into a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Gradually stir in 125–150ml (4–5fl oz) of water to make a soft, sticky dough (see tip). Transfer to a floured work surface and gently knead until smooth.

Sprinkle flour on to a sheet of baking paper, sit the dough on top and roll into a rectangle about 15 x 25cm (6 x 10in). Spread the top with the horseradish sauce and scatter with the parsley. Roll up the dough into a Swiss roll, working from the long side and using the baking paper to help. Chill in the fridge for 45 minutes and slice into eight using a serrated knife
(see tip).

When the meat is tender, remove from the oven and increase the temperature to 220°C/200°C fan/Gas 7. Remove the lid from the casserole and arrange the dumplings, spiral side up and  spaced apart, on top of the stew. Return to the oven and cook, uncovered, for about 25 minutes or until the dumplings are golden and puffed up.

Remove the bay leaves and serve piping hot with buttered cabbage.

Prepare ahead: The stew can be made up to a day ahead and reheated with the freshly made dumplings on top. Bring to the boil on the hob before putting into the hot oven.

Freeze: Freezes well without the dumplings. The raw dumpling roulade can be frozen. Defrost, then slice as in step 7 and place on top when reheating the stew.

Mary’s Everyday Tips: Cut up the beef into pieces that are all the same size so they cook at the same rate. A wetter dough is better as it will be less tough when cooked. A serrated knife will help when slicing the dumplings to prevent squashing the dough and losing the spiral effect.