Why you should try beef bake with dauphinoise potatoes
This recipe is great because it combines two classic elements into one single baking dish. Making a Beef Bake with Dauphinoise Potatoes allows the flavours of the meat and the creamy sauce to meld together while in the oven. It is a hearty meal that provides comfort during colder months. Most of the cooking time is spent in the oven which gives you time to tidy up or relax.
Follow these 4 steps for beef bake with dauphinoise potatoes
The beef: Brown the minced beef in a large frying pan over medium heat until it is fully cooked. Add the chopped onion and garlic then fry until they are soft. Stir in the tomato puree and beef stock and simmer for five minutes. Pour the beef mixture into the bottom of a large baking dish.
The potatoes: Peel the potatoes and slice them into very thin rounds. You can use a knife or a slicer to get them as thin as possible. Place the potato slices in a bowl and pour over the cream and milk. Add the dried thyme and a little salt and pepper then stir gently to coat every slice.
The layers: Layer the creamed potato slices on top of the beef mixture in the baking dish. Try to overlap them slightly to create an even covering over the meat. Pour any remaining cream and milk from the bowl over the top of the potatoes. This ensures the Beef Bake with Dauphinoise Potatoes stays moist during the cooking process.
The baking: Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for forty minutes. Remove the foil and sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over the top. Return the dish to the oven for another twenty minutes until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden. Let it stand for five minutes before serving.
Tips to make beef bake with dauphinoise potatoes even better
To get the best results with your Beef Bake with Dauphinoise Potatoes you should slice the potatoes as thinly as possible. If the slices are too thick they might stay hard even after a long time in the oven. Using a floury potato like Maris Piper helps create a lovely texture in the sauce.
You can also add extra vegetables like carrots or peas to the beef layer to make it more nutritious. Make sure to let the bake rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven. This allows the creamy sauce to thicken up so it does not run everywhere when you serve it. Checking the potatoes with a knife is a good way to see if they are soft all the way through.
You might also enjoy
fruit salad with vanilla cream,
chicken noodle soup or
fried rice with duck.
