Cloudy, cold, sunny, raining... The weather in Cardiff was so tempermental today that you never know what it's going to be. I haven't seen the weather this undecided in my years of living here. I stopped trusting the weather person... somehow he/she gets it wrong most of the time.

With the weather being so moody, I decided to stay home this afternoon, catch up with some sewing, and prepare a hot and hearty meal for dinner.

I bought a lovely hunk of braising steak on Sunday; although a relatively cheap cut, it's chock-full of flavor. When slow cooked with onions and aromatic spices, you end up with a wonderfully flavored dish.

Most people are under the misconception that 'slow cooking' means hours of laborious work in the kitchen. It's quite the contrary really...you bring all your ingredients together and whack them in the oven for a few hours while you take the time to do whatever you want!

Aromatic Slow-Braised Steak Recipe

INGREDIENTS

500g braising steak cut into 2 inch cubes
1 cup finely chopped onion
2 crushed garlic cloves
1 cup shredded carrot
2 chopped tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato puree
500ml water or stock
1 tsp each of black pepper, cumin, and ground cloves
½ tsp ground cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 200°C

1. Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a casserole pan and saute the onions over a high heat for about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and spices, and fry for an additional minute or until the spices release a toasted aroma.
2. Add the beef and cook until the meat is browned on all sides. Add the tomatoes, tomato puree and stock and allow the mixture to come to the boil. Take off the stovetop and place in the oven for 1½ hours.
3. For an added 'oomppph'... stir in a handful of fresh coriander before serving!

Now wasn't that easy? This recipe will serve 3-4 people depending on thier appetites; the beef tastes great with cinnamon boiled rice (place 1 stick of cinnamon in your rice water as it cooks).