Beef Goulash with Chive Dumplings

Ingredients (serves 8)

• 25g butter
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 1.5kg diced beef
• 2 brown onions, halved, thinly sliced
• 1 red capsicum, halved, deseeded, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tbs finely chopped fresh marjoram
• 1 tbs smoked paprika
• 1 tsp caraway seeds
• 1 tsp finely grated lemon rind
• 1L (4 cups) beef stock
• 500ml (2 cups) water
• 1 tbs tomato paste
• Salt & freshly ground black pepper
• Green beans with dill (see related recipe), to serve

• Chive dumplings

• 190g (1 1/4 cups) self-raising flour
• 2 tbs finely chopped fresh chives
• Pinch of salt
• 75g chilled butter, cubed
• 60ml (1/4 cup) cold water

Method

1. Melt the butter and oil in a large flameproof casserole dish over high heat. Add one-third of the beef and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until brown all over. Use a slotted spoon to transfer beef to a heatproof bowl. Repeat, in 2 more batches, with the remaining beef, reheating pan between batches.
2. Add the onion, capsicum and garlic to the casserole dish and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes or until onion softens. Add the marjoram, paprika, caraway seeds and lemon rind, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until aromatic. Add the beef, stock, water and tomato paste and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, for 1 1/2 hours or until beef is tender. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
3. Meanwhile, to make the dumplings, sift the flour into a large bowl. Add the chives and season with salt. Use your fingertips to rub butter into flour mixture until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Make a well in the centre and pour in the water. Use a round-bladed knife in a cutting motion to mix until evenly incorporated. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and roll each portion into a ball. Arrange the dumplings over the top of the beef mixture. Cook, covered, for 15 minutes or until dumplings are cooked through. Remove from heat.
4. Spoon the beef goulash and chive dumplings among serving plates. Serve immediately with green beans with dill.