Best beef gravy

Ingredients


  • 750g (tell the butcher you want to make stock) beef bones
  • 750g chicken wings
  • 2, chopped onions
  • 2, roughly chopped carrots
  • 3 sticks, roughly chopped celery
  • 8 black peppercorns
  • a few sprigs thyme
  • 175ml red wine
  • 2 tbsp, softened unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp plain flour

Description

  • STEP 1

    Heat the oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Tip the beef bones, chicken wings and all the vegetables onto a large roasting tray and roast for 1 hour until really crisp and browned.

  • STEP 2

    Carefully pour off some of the fat from the tray into a ramekin, then tip all of the vegetables and bones into a large pan with the black peppercorns, thyme, and 1.5 litres of cold water, making sure to really scrape the roasting tray to include any crusty bits off the bottom.

  • STEP 3

    Bring to a gentle boil and leave to simmer for 1 hour 30 minutes, using a wooden spoon to break up the wings during cooking to release more gelatin. Skim any fat or impurities from the top every now and again. Strain through a fine sieve into a bowl or container, using a ladle to squeeze all of the liquid out of the meat and bones. At this stage, you can cover, chill or freeze the stock for future use, or use straightaway.

  • STEP 4

    Heat a large, deep frying pan over a medium heat and add the red wine and bubble until reduced by a third. Pour in the strained stock and simmer gently for 45 minutes, skimming regularly, or until the sauce has thickened and is looking glossy.

  • STEP 5

    Mash together the softened butter and plain flour until smooth, then whisk into the gravy, then simmer for 15-20 minutes or until thickened. Season and serve.