Piccolo’s Sweet Potato Beef Ragu (made with a carrot sauce)

Add a glug of olive oil to a large heavy based saucepan or casserole dish with a lid and put it onto a medium heat. Once the oil is hot add in the onions and cook until they start to soften, around eight minutes. Mix in the garlic, leek, carrot and mushrooms, and reduce the heat slightly. Cook for around 10 minutes, occasionally stirring and adding a splash of water if the vegetables start to catch on the bottom of the pan.

Once the vegetables have softened, add the beef and let it brown all over.

Once the beef has been sealed, add the sweet potato, thyme and tomatoes (once you’ve emptied the tin into the pan, fill it half way with water and swill round to get all the left over tomato and pour the tomato-ey water into the pan with the vegetables and beef).

Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat and bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can put in a slow cooker and cook for 4 hours, or cook for an hour in the oven at 160C/140C fan/gas 3.

Once cooked and the meat is tender, mix in the cheese and puree.