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Original poster

To want stew and dumplings

142 replies

Trippingthelighteddaylight · 02/01/2026 02:54

I’m on my own since DH passed away. Cooking feels like a massive chore. I’m lying here craving stew and dumplings. I think I’ll start a stew and dumplings takeaway. Do you think it would work?

OP posts:
noctilucentcloud · 02/01/2026 09:24

Nitgel · 02/01/2026 07:03

I buy the m an s beef stew and dumplings meal for one. Its very nice

I agree with this. I think it also cooks from frozen so if you have a freezer you could pop it in there for next time you fancy it.

x2boys · 02/01/2026 09:24

RampantIvy · 02/01/2026 09:14

Suet I can understand, but you don't keep flour in the house? I admit to finding that unusual.

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Why?

Myblueclematis · 02/01/2026 09:21

We had stew and dumplings regularly when I was growing up, my mum made lovely stews and I've carried on making them.

I find that if I make one, I leave it in the fridge for two days before I eat it. It really enhances the flavour and makes it lovely and thick.

I put it back in the oven for an hour or so, put the dumplings on top, cook for a further 20-25 minutes and voila, perfect stew and dumplings.

In this current weather, I really don't think there is a better meal.

ParisianLady · 02/01/2026 09:19

I’m sorry for your loss OP.

We are having beef stew and dumplings this week. Always so many dumplings that they totally cover the stew. The children love it, they could eat 5 dumplings each if I let them 😄

Westfacing · 02/01/2026 09:19

Trippingthelighteddaylight · 02/01/2026 02:54

I’m on my own since DH passed away. Cooking feels like a massive chore. I’m lying here craving stew and dumplings. I think I’ll start a stew and dumplings takeaway. Do you think it would work?

I've never knowingly eaten stew and dumplings - so if you start a S&D takeaway near me I might give it a go but don't think I'd be a regular customer!

QforCucumber · 02/01/2026 09:15

@PhantomAfternoonTea it's my 9 year olds favourite dinner, he asks for it as soon as it starts getting colder and for tea on the first day back to school in September.

I add herbs and also a handful of grated sharp cheddar, just like my granny did.

RampantIvy · 02/01/2026 09:14

x2boys · 02/01/2026 09:10

Mainly becsuse flour and suet is not something I normally buy ,so a packet works for me.

Show quote history

Suet I can understand, but you don't keep flour in the house? I admit to finding that unusual.

Noshowlomo · 02/01/2026 09:10

Stew and dumplings with a tump of white pepper is the one! I’m veggie so my mother has made me a veggie stew with veggie suet dumplings. Yes! I want that for breakfast

x2boys · 02/01/2026 09:10

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 02/01/2026 08:59

Can't understand why anybody would buy a packet mix for dumplings because they are so easy and quick to make from scratch. I make them the way my Mum did - flour in a bowl, bit of salt and pepper, maybe some dried herbs; add some suet (Atora); mix in just enough water to make a dough; dollop spoonfuls onto the top of the hot stew; cook in oven or on stovetop until the dumplings are cooked. Oven is best because they get a little crust on top. Gorgeous.

Mainly becsuse flour and suet is not something I normally buy ,so a packet works for me.

RampantIvy · 02/01/2026 09:08

kiwiane · 02/01/2026 09:04

It is possible to use veg suet to make dumplings; I’m going to look into it now!

Atora vegetable suet is widely available. You will find it in the baking aisle of any supermarket.

www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/314099828?sc_cmp=ppcGHS+-+Grocery+-+NewMPX_SHP_New_GEN_All+Products_Online+Budget_1012764New:+F%26D:+Food+Cupboard:+Food+CupboardPRODUCT_GROUP314099828*e&ds_rl=1116322&msclkid=1dd2f2aec6911e7298ff9bf94c343433&gclid=1dd2f2aec6911e7298ff9bf94c343433&gclsrc=3p.ds&gad_source=7&gad_campaignid=8161374891

kiwiane · 02/01/2026 09:04

It is possible to use veg suet to make dumplings; I’m going to look into it now!

Whatwouldnanado · 02/01/2026 09:00

Favourite family stew recipes please. Inspiration needed!

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 02/01/2026 08:59

Can't understand why anybody would buy a packet mix for dumplings because they are so easy and quick to make from scratch. I make them the way my Mum did - flour in a bowl, bit of salt and pepper, maybe some dried herbs; add some suet (Atora); mix in just enough water to make a dough; dollop spoonfuls onto the top of the hot stew; cook in oven or on stovetop until the dumplings are cooked. Oven is best because they get a little crust on top. Gorgeous.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 02/01/2026 08:57

PhantomAfternoonTea · 02/01/2026 07:58

How old are you? I've never had stew and dumplings in my life, I think of it as a very old fashioned meal!

You've missed out.

x2boys · 02/01/2026 08:55

randomchap · 02/01/2026 08:09

I've never made dumplings.

Next time my mum visits I'll get her to show me how it's done. She makes the best so the perfect person to learn from.

You can buy a ready mixed packed and just add water to them and chuck them into your stew to cook i think they say about 20, mins before you are ready to eat
I make a stew in the slow cooker so it's longer.

x2boys · 02/01/2026 08:51

PhantomAfternoonTea · 02/01/2026 07:58

How old are you? I've never had stew and dumplings in my life, I think of it as a very old fashioned meal!

And yet Sainsbury's do a ready meal of it .

randomchap · 02/01/2026 08:31

RampantIvy · 02/01/2026 08:17

Another odd comment. We prefer mince and dumplings. It us one of DD's favourite meals. She is 25.

@randomchap dumplings are ridiculously easy to make. I use vegetable suet as DD is vegetarian (when DD is home I make mince and dumplings with quorn mince).

You just need half the wright of suet to flour. So, for 100 grams of self raising flour you need 50 grams of suet. Add a pinch of salt and enough water to make a sticky dough. Place spoonfuls on top of your stew or mince and cook for 20 minutes.

I always bake mine in a hot oven (200 degrees fan) so that the top goes crispy. It is important that your dish hss lots of gravy as a lot of the liquid evaporates when you cook this way.

Edited
Show quote history

Thank you, they do sound delicious. I'll still ask my mum though as she will enjoy showing me and the dc how to do it. I might even get her super secret crumble recipe out of her too.

caringcarer · 02/01/2026 08:21

PhantomAfternoonTea · 02/01/2026 07:58

How old are you? I've never had stew and dumplings in my life, I think of it as a very old fashioned meal!

You should try some. You don't know what you are missing.

RampantIvy · 02/01/2026 08:17

PhantomAfternoonTea · 02/01/2026 07:58

How old are you? I've never had stew and dumplings in my life, I think of it as a very old fashioned meal!

Another odd comment. We prefer mince and dumplings. It us one of DD's favourite meals. She is 25.

@randomchap dumplings are ridiculously easy to make. I use vegetable suet as DD is vegetarian (when DD is home I make mince and dumplings with quorn mince).

You just need half the wright of suet to flour. So, for 100 grams of self raising flour you need 50 grams of suet. Add a pinch of salt and enough water to make a sticky dough. Place spoonfuls on top of your stew or mince and cook for 20 minutes.

I always bake mine in a hot oven (200 degrees fan) so that the top goes crispy. It is important that your dish hss lots of gravy as a lot of the liquid evaporates when you cook this way.

Fgfgfg · 02/01/2026 08:15

There's a Caribbean takeaway near me that delivers Jamaican brown stew but no dumplings though.

DeftGoldHedgehog · 02/01/2026 08:14

My other half isn't keen on suet but I do make a nice cobbler. It's just half fat to flour rubbing in method savoury scones on top of a stew.

randomchap · 02/01/2026 08:09

I've never made dumplings.

Next time my mum visits I'll get her to show me how it's done. She makes the best so the perfect person to learn from.

NorWouldTilly · 02/01/2026 08:09

You’re really missing out, @PhantomAfternoonTea …

Nothing ‘old fashioned’ about this place - wondrously close to me:

https://tastetibet.com/

TimeForATerf · 02/01/2026 08:02

PhantomAfternoonTea · 02/01/2026 07:58

How old are you? I've never had stew and dumplings in my life, I think of it as a very old fashioned meal!

DS age 31 regularly makes stew and dumplings for his wife and daughter. Maybe because I made it for him and his nanna made it for him, or maybe because it’s easy and great comfort food after a long day.

Myoldbear · 02/01/2026 08:02

Stew and dumplings has always been my favourite meal. My Granny always made it for the day after Boxing day (as well as other times) as she knew I liked it so much.

Wonderful food! Nothing better.