Beef Stew

[Lee.]

In all my years of cooking I've never cooked beef stew, until tonight!

I softened onions, browned the beef with them, added a chopped stick of celery and 2 carrots and some Worcester sauce, then I covered it all with water and a beef stock cube

Will this turn out ok do you think? Or will it be putrid and I'd be better ordering takeaway??

[GiRTh]

Celery, Worcester sauce :yuk:

Sounds delicious apart from the celery and Worcester sauce.

[Josy]

It will turn out fine Lee although if you wanted it to thicken up quite a bit you should have browned the beef with some flour.

I wouldn't have used celery though I can't stand the stuff.

[Lee.]

I wasnt sure about the Worcester sauce tbh but I put it in my mince and it always tastes nice! Carrots and celery were the only veg I had too.. Ach well if it's crap, I'll have beans on toast!

[Niamh.]

It's not how I'd make it but I've never tasted it that way so i couldn't say how it would turn out. When I make it, I put potatoes, carrots, onions sometimes turnip in a pot and use a stew mix with water and a stock cube. I then boil it and let it simmer for atleast two hours

[GiRTh]

Give it plenty of seasoning. Do you have any chilli's?

[Lee.]

It will turn out fine Lee although if you wanted it to thicken up quite a bit you should have browned the beef with some flour.

I wouldn't have used celery though I can't stand the stuff.

I was going to just stir some gravy granules in when it's nearly ready? Do you think that'll make it too salty??

My freezer AND oven have broken so I'm trying to do everything on the hob! :fist:

[Josy]

I was going to just stir some gravy granules in when it's nearly ready? Do you think that'll make it too salty??

My freezer AND oven have broken so I'm trying to do everything on the hob! :fist:

Nah that should be fine.

[Josy]

I also add either some tinned tomatoes or passata to my stews and casseroles, that's individual preference though.

[GiRTh]

I also add either some tinned tomatoes or passata to my stews and casseroles, that's individual preference though.Agree. Tin tomatoes > water.

What you gonna serve it with?

[Marsh.]

tinned tomatoes

Are you crazy?! :omg:

[Ammi]

..or add some red wine if you have any, Lee...

[Lee.]

It's not how I'd make it but I've never tasted it that way so i couldn't say how it would turn out. When I make it, I put potatoes, carrots, onions sometimes turnip in a pot and use a stew mix with water and a stock cube. I then boil it and let it simmer for atleast two hours
What's stew mix? I like the sound of this!
Give it plenty of seasoning. Do you have any chilli's?
I've got chilli powder.. But the kids won't eat anything with chilli :sad:

[Lee.]

I also add either some tinned tomatoes or passata to my stews and casseroles, that's individual preference though.

I've got tomato purée?

[Ammi]

Are you crazy?! :omg:

..tinned tomatoes are great for sauces and in stews, Marsh...we'll do a bit of cooking together sometime...











..not that I'm a very good cook, mind...

[GiRTh]

..or add some red wine if you have any, Lee...This. Great tip. Forget the tinned tomatoes and add any kind of wine.

[Niamh.]

What's stew mix? I like the sound of this!

I've got chilli powder.. But the kids won't eat anything with chilli :sad:

It just comes in a pack in a powder form and you just add water to it and use it as your sauce

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eutsFTVQSdo/TX43WPvLpvI/AAAAAAAAAw4/qUSfAuqniRc/s200/582105.gif

[Lee.]

..or add some red wine if you have any, Lee...

I know a lot of people won't believe me, but I have no wine! I've got vodka?

[Niamh.]

I know a lot of people won't believe me, but I have no wine! I've got vodka?

Vodka stew :laugh:

[Ammi]

I know a lot of people won't believe me, but I have no wine! I've got vodka?

...vodka stew might be interesting...

[Ammi]

..the kids would sleep well tonight with it anyway Lee...

[Niamh.]

ahaha Kirk would like this, just as I was posting here there was a quiz going on in the radio in the background and the answer to the question he asked was Stew :hehe:

[Vanessa]

..the kids would sleep well tonight with it anyway Lee...

:laugh2:

[Marsh.]

..or add some red wine if you have any, Lee...

I know a lot of people won't believe me, but I have no wine! I've got vodka?

:clap1: My kind of cooks.

[Ammi]

ahaha Kirk would like this, just as I was posting here there was a quiz going on in the radio in the background and the answer to the question he asked was Stew :hehe:

..:amazed:..

[Dollface]

I make stew with my mum's recipe, i'd share it but it's top secret :wink: it's bloody lovely, i love stew.

Sounds good apart from the celery and Worcester sauce :)

[Lee.]

Hmm.. I'm beginning to think the celery and Worcester sauce was a mistake! :laugh:

[Marsh.]

Hmm.. I'm beginning to think the celery and Worcester sauce was a mistake! :laugh:

Instead of adding the wine, just drink it and then you won't care what it taste like. :hehe:

[Jake.]

Chinese it is

[Lee.]

I'm honestly considering Chinese now.. It looks crap! It smells quite nice however :)

[Ammi]

..have you had a taste, does it taste ok..?...

[Vanessa]

vodka stew sounds delicious. i want some! :amazed:

[Lee.]

..have you had a taste, does it taste ok..?...

Nope.. I ain't tasting that!!

[Marsh.]

Nope.. I ain't tasting that!!

:joker:

[GiRTh]

Nope.. I ain't tasting that!!
You've got to taste it or you wont know what seasoning to add.

[Lee.]

You've got to taste it or you wont know what seasoning to add.

Well there's salt in the stock cube and gravy granules so don't want to add more anyway :)

[Jake.]

Nope.. I ain't tasting that!!

:joker:

[Vanessa]

it can't be that bad. :laugh:

[kirklancaster]

In all my years of cooking I've never cooked beef stew, until tonight!

I softened onions, browned the beef with them, added a chopped stick of celery and 2 carrots and some Worcester sauce, then I covered it all with water and a beef stock cube

Will this turn out ok do you think? Or will it be putrid and I'd be better ordering takeaway??

I'm not calling it synchronicity, just coincidence, but I swear I've just cooked a beef stew for tonight's meal!

The recipe you describe and method will be just fine Lee, and very similar to mine, but I skip the Worcester sauce, use more onion and extra stock cube. I like to drain off stock into a deep sided roasting dish, add to it, then cook suet dumplings in it separately in the oven.

Delicious.

[Lee.]

It looks pretty bad Vanessa! Hopefully it'll look nicer once I thicken it!

[kirklancaster]

Instead of adding the wine, just drink it and then you won't care what it taste like. :hehe:

:joker:

[Niamh.]

we seriously need pics of this Lee, Lees Special Vodka Stew mmm

[GiRTh]

It looks pretty bad Vanessa! Hopefully it'll look nicer once I thicken it!You've got to cook the beef before you thicken it. Local Chinese is looking good atm.

[Lee.]

I'm not calling it synchronicity, just coincidence, but I swear I've just cooked a beef stew for tonight's meal!

The recipe you describe and method will be just fine Lee, and very similar to mine, but I skip the Worcester sauce, use more onion and extra stock cube. I like to drain off stock into a deep sided roasting dish, add to it, then cook suet dumplings in it separately in the oven.

Delicious.
How do you make dumplings??

[kirklancaster]

we seriously need pics of this Lee, Lees Special Vodka Stew mmm

:joker:

[Lee.]

You've got to cook the beef before you thicken it. Local Chinese is looking good atm.

FFs! I'm not THAT stupid! It's cooking just now and once it's ready I'll thicken the damned thing!! :joker:

But yes.. Beef satay is very appealing right now!

[GiRTh]

How do you make dumplings??
Depends what type of dumplings you want to go with. I'd skip the dumplings if I were you just concentrate on the taste .

[Lee.]

Depends what type of dumplings you want to go with. I'd skip the dumplings if I were you just concentrate on the taste .

Are you doubting my ability? :suspect:

[GiRTh]

Are you doubting my ability? :suspect:Not at all. :pipe:

Have you still not tasted it?

[kirklancaster]

How do you make dumplings??

McDougal's Suet Dumpling mix and follow the easy instructions. I use several packets and make big dumplings. Doing them in the oven and turning them once or twice, makes them brown and firmish on the outside and really fluffy on the inner.

If you like them in the traditional way, just add them to the stewpot and partially cover for the last 30 to 40 minutes of cooking.

[Lee.]

Not at all. :pipe:

Have you still not tasted it?

I just did! Is the beef meant to be as tough as the sole of my shoe?? I couldn't even chew it!

[Vanessa]

I just did! Is the beef meant to be as tough as the sole of my shoe?? I couldn't even chew it!

:laugh2:

[Lee.]

McDougal's Suet Dumpling mix and follow the easy instructions. I use several packets and make big dumplings. Doing them in the oven and turning them once or twice, makes them brown and firmish on the outside and really fluffy on the inner.

If you like them in the traditional way, just add them to the stewpot and partially cover for the last 30 to 40 minutes of cooking.

Oh that doesn't sound like something I'll have in my pantry :sad:

[Vanessa]

Just order pizza. It's buy one get one free today! :cheer2:

[GiRTh]

I just did! Is the beef meant to be as tough as the sole of my shoe?? I couldn't even chew it!:joker:

You've got to cook it for a good few hours.

[kirklancaster]

Oh that doesn't sound like something I'll have in my pantry :sad:

OK Lee, so get some in for next time - so easy and really delicious.

[GiRTh]

Oh that doesn't sound like something I'll have in my pantry :sad::joker:

Have you got any Eggs, Sausages and Oven chips? If so scrap then stew.

[Lee.]

:joker:

Have you got any Eggs, Sausages and Oven chips? If so scrap then stew.

No, no and I currently don't have a freezer nor an oven!

[Lee.]

Look at the ****ing state if this!! It's like something they'd have served up to Oliver Twist.. And he wouldn't have asked for more!

http://i843.photobucket.com/albums/zz351/happyland76/4E79C903-6368-4EB0-811C-42F960F3C057_zpsnlcvasqv.jpg

[Marsh.]

The beef's too pink for me.

[Vanessa]

Take away it is then. :laugh:

[GiRTh]

Look at the ****ing state if this!! It's like something they'd have served up to Oliver Twist.. And he wouldn't have asked for more!

http://i843.photobucket.com/albums/zz351/happyland76/4E79C903-6368-4EB0-811C-42F960F3C057_zpsnlcvasqv.jpgThere a bit too much fat in there for me and the meat is slightly pink but other than that it looks fine.

[Lee.]

I just went and had another look.. It doesn't look pink at all, must just be the camera. It does look fatty on top :yuk:

[kirklancaster]

I just went and had another look.. It doesn't look pink at all, must just be the camera. It does look fatty on top :yuk:

Use a slice of bread lightly 'skimmed' over the top to absorb the globules of fat Lee and it will be fine.

[Lee.]

Use a slice of bread lightly 'skimmed' over the top to absorb the globules of fat Lee and it will be fine.

Ooh that's a good idea! Never heard of that before!

[Marsh.]

Kirk Ramsey.

[GiRTh]

Use a slice of bread lightly 'skimmed' over the top to absorb the globules of fat Lee and it will be fine.Thats a great tip. I'll try that. :thumbs:

[smudgie]

Thicken it with the gravy granules Lee, let it simmer for another hour or so and it should be lush.

Celery goes perfect in any casseroles, stews etc,along with onions and carrots it's what all the cheffies use.

[Lee.]

Thicken it with the gravy granules Lee, let it simmer for another hour or so and it should be lush.

Celery goes perfect in any casseroles, stews etc,along with onions and carrots it's what all the cheffies use.

I've just thickened it.. It looks much better now! :)

[GiRTh]

I've just thickened it.. It looks much better now! :)
Is the meat still tough? Now you've thickened it it wont cook thru as well.

[Lee.]

Is the meat still tough? Now you've thickened it it wont cook thru as well.

U wot?!

[GiRTh]

U wot?!Now you;ve thickened it the meat will take longer to become tender. Or you'll have to now scrape a whole load of crap off the bottom of the pan if you dont stir the stew often.

[smudgie]

U wot?!

Just simmer it slowly so it doesn't stick Lee, it will be fine.

[Marsh.]

U wot?!

:joker:

[GiRTh]

Just simmer it slowly so it doesn't stick Lee, it will be fine.She's gonna be eating at 10 PM at this rate.

[Benjamin]

the dilemmas of a beef stew :joker:

[jennyjuniper]

I was going to just stir some gravy granules in when it's nearly ready? Do you think that'll make it too salty??

My freezer AND oven have broken so I'm trying to do everything on the hob! :fist:

It sounds delicious as it is, without the gravy granules. If you want to make it that bit more filling make some dumplings to go in for the last half hour. All you have to do is mix 4oz flour, pinch of salt, pinch of mustard (if you have any) 2oz suet, or if no suet use butter. Mix with about 6 tbs cold water (add chopped fresh herbs for really nice dumplings) and put them on top of your stew. Then put a lid on and simmer gently for about 30 minutes.

[MB.]

...have you necked the vodka yet?

[kirklancaster]

Kirk Ramsey.

:joker: You never fail me Marsh. :hehe:

[GiRTh]

It sounds delicious as it is, without the gravy granules. If you want to make it that bit more filling make some dumplings to go in for the last half hour. All you have to do is mix 4oz flour, pinch of salt, pinch of mustard (if you have any) 2oz suet, or if no suet use butter. Mix with about 6 tbs cold water (add chopped fresh herbs for really nice dumplings) and put them on top of your stew. Then put a lid on and simmer gently for about 30 minutes.
Hope Lee tells us how she gets on with that. :joker:

[kirklancaster]

Thats a great tip. I'll try that. :thumbs:

It works for me Girth, let me know how you get on if you do try it sometime.

[Lee.]

Well, though I say so myself, that was bloody delicious!! I'll try dumplings the next time :)

http://i843.photobucket.com/albums/zz351/happyland76/56A60B52-7FBC-4FBF-8A61-0BCCF174A32D_zpsd8ypt76k.jpg

[GiRTh]

That looks good. Was the meat tough?

[Lee.]

Hope Lee tells us how she gets on with that. :joker:

I shall try the next time.. And keep you informed :)

[Lee.]

That looks good. Was the meat tough?

Yes extremely! Just kidding.. It was actually ok. I think I'll do it for longer the next time though.

[kirklancaster]

Yes extremely! Just kidding.. It was actually ok. I think I'll do it for longer the next time though.

Congratulations - looks professional and delicious. Next time cook the beef on the hob in enough water to well cover it, with one beef stock cube broken up in it and salt and pepper.

Bring to boil then turn down, cover, and and cook for about 2 to 3 hours at least - obviously keep having a stir and keep topping up the liquid. After you're satisfied it's tender enough - then make your stew with it.

[jennyjuniper]

For the best ever beef stew with guiness try this next time Lee.

Put the cubed beef in a poly bag with 2tbs flour, salt and pepper. Give it a good shake, then fry meat until browned.
Take out and in the fat fry onions and carrot, add leftover flour from poly bag, then add, little by little, stock cube and liquid made up of a can of guiness and about half pint of water.
Put browned meat back in and stir well, simmer gently, stirring occasionaly for about i-i and a half hours. If using dumplings add them half an hour before serving.

[Josy]

I just did! Is the beef meant to be as tough as the sole of my shoe?? I couldn't even chew it!

:joker:

Well the clues in the name Lee you need to 'stew' it for a good few hours for it to be lovely and tender.

Looks like it ended up alright thought.

[Lee.]

Thank you for all your tips everybody! I'll definitely be making beef stew again!

The Guinness one sounds good, but do you think that would be safe for kids?

[GiRTh]

It works for me Girth, let me know how you get on if you do try it sometime.It sounds like it would work. I'll report back when I try it.

[Lee.]

I forgot to try it :laugh:

[Vanessa]

Well, though I say so myself, that was bloody delicious!! I'll try dumplings the next time :)

http://i843.photobucket.com/albums/zz351/happyland76/56A60B52-7FBC-4FBF-8A61-0BCCF174A32D_zpsd8ypt76k.jpg

that looks great, lee! :amazed:

[kirklancaster]

I forgot to try it :laugh:

:joker:

[jennyjuniper]

Thank you for all your tips everybody! I'll definitely be making beef stew again!

The Guinness one sounds good, but do you think that would be safe for kids?

It's quite safe because the alcohol is cooked away.