To brown or not to brown?

[babooshkadoll]

Making Jamie Oliver's 'Jools favourite stew' tomorrow.
Just read the recipe and he recommends not browning the meat just bunging it all in with the veg.
I have never made a stew without browning the meat first
Anyone tried it ?
Just a bit worried the meat will still be raw with all the veg cooked.

[cassell]

Afaik the purpose of browning the meat is to seal the juices inside the meat so that the flavour/texture is better. Provided you cook the casserole for the recommended time then it'll be cooked but the meat may not be as moist/tasty as if you'd browned it first.

[bigbadbarry]

It will be fine - I don't brown if I am in a hurry and have never noticed a difference. If y are cooking tagine or Thai curry then it is correct not to brown it first. Simon Hopkinson, radically, recommends not browning mince!

[magimedi88]

BigBarry - am a great fan of SH - can you tell me where he said that, please? Most interested to know - does it mean you wouldn't brown pork & beef mince for lasagne? Wouldn't it all be a bit pale??

[bigbadbarry]

It was in his roast chicken and other stories. I think it still goes brown on cooking, just not a dark brown from frying. And it is mixed in with tomato and what have you, ot sure you'd really notice. I'm away from home at the moment but if I remember I will dig it out when I get home and check I didn't make it up!

[magimedi88]

BBBarry!