Slow Cooked Italian Beef with Pasta

~*~ HAPPY ST. DAVID'S DAY ~*~
~*~ HAPUS DYDD GWYL DEWI ~*~

No traditional Welsh food for this little Welsh Lass this year as I knew it was going to be another long day at work as I was spending the day in Kilmore - a good 2 hour drive each way from home so I decided to let our beloved slow cooker work it's magic.  And once again it did.

This recipe had such a lovely flavour starting with a herbed tomato base with a hint of spice.  Jam packed with vegetables and served simply with pasta there was definitely no complaints in the Murray house.

Slow Cooked Italian Beef with Pasta

Serves: 8

ProPoints per serve: 12

1 kilogram lean beef, cut into 3cm cubes

4 medium carrots, peeled and thickly sliced

2 medium green capsicum, large dice 

2 medium red capsicum, large dice

2 medium onion, large dice

1/4 cup dried oregano leaves

2 220 gram tins diced tomatoes 

1 tablespoon beef stock powder

2 cups hot water

1/4 cup(s) tomato paste

2 clove(s) fresh garlic, crushed

2 Tbsp ground sweet paprika

1 Tbsp brown sugar

salt

freshly ground black pepper

500 g pasta, tagliatelle

2 Tbsp arrowroot flour

1/4 cup water, extra

Place beef, carrots, capsicum and onions in slow cooker vessel.  Sprinkle with oregano leaves.  Pour diced tomatoes over meat and vegetables.

In a large jug or bowl combine together stock powder and water.  Mix well.  Add tomato paste, garlic, paprika and sugar.  Combine well.  Pour mixture over meat and vegetables in slow cooker vessel.  Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.  Mix to combine.

Cook on low for 8 hours.

During the last hour of cooking mix together arrowroot and extra water to form a smooth paste.  Gently stir through casserole.

Cook pasta as per packet instructions, drain and keep warm.

Place pasta in serving bowls and serve with Slow Cooked Italian Beef.

Note: You could easily cook this in a large casserole dish in an oven.  Heat oven to 180 degrees and cook covered for 1½ hrs. Add arrowroot mixture and continue to cook for a further 30 minutes. Cook pasta as per packet directions and serve in individual bowls with the beef.

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