A slow-cooked, melt-in-your-mouth dish where tender beef cheeks soak up the deep flavors of cider, aromatic vegetables, and herbs. Perfect for a comforting meal!

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🥘 Ingredients:

• 1 kg (2.2 lbs) beef cheek, trimmed
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 500 ml (2 cups) cider (dry or semi-dry)
• 250 ml (1 cup) beef broth
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp oil (olive oil or vegetable oil)
• 1 tsp thyme (fresh or dried)
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt & pepper, to taste

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👨‍🍳 Instructions:

1️⃣ Brown the Beef:

• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
• Pat the beef cheeks dry, season with salt & pepper, and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until deep brown.
• Remove from the pot and set aside.

2️⃣ Sauté the Vegetables:

• Add the remaining 1 tbsp oil and reduce heat to medium.
• Sauté the onions, carrots, and celery for 5-7 minutes until softened.

3️⃣ Add Flour & Deglaze:

• Sprinkle 2 tbsp flour over the vegetables, stirring to coat. Cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
• Slowly pour in the cider, scraping up any browned bits from the pot (this adds rich flavor!).
• Stir in the beef broth, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

4️⃣ Slow Cook the Beef:

• Return the seared beef cheeks to the pot.
• Add the thyme, bay leaf, and additional salt & pepper.
• Cover and reduce heat to low, letting it simmer for 3 hours (or until fork-tender).
• Stir occasionally and add a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much.

5️⃣ Serve & Enjoy:

• Remove the bay leaf and discard.
• Slice or shred the beef cheeks and serve with the cider-infused sauce over:
  • Creamy mashed potatoes 🥔
  • Buttered noodles 🍜
  • Roasted root vegetables 🥕

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👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips:

🍷 Cider Choice: Use a dry cider for a deeper, more balanced flavor. A sweeter cider will give a slightly caramelized taste.
⏳ Slow Cooker Option: Cook on low for 6-8 hours for even more tenderness.
🌿 Flavor Boost: Add a splash of apple cider vinegar or a spoonful of Dijon mustard at the end for brightness.

Enjoy this warm, comforting dish—perfect for cozy nights! Would you like wine pairings or dessert suggestions to go with it? 😊