the dilemmas of a beef stew :joker:

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.

...have you necked the vodka yet?

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

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

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

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

http://i843.photobucket.com/albums/z...psd8ypt76k.jpg

That looks good. Was the meat tough?

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

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.

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.

: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.

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 sounds like it would work. I'll report back when I try it.

I forgot to try it :laugh:

that looks great, lee! :amazed:

:joker:

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