Help!!! How do I make a meal out of this?

[IncapableCook]

A local pub is delivering crates of food. Butcher meat and veg etc. I order one which arrived today. I must add, I really am not good at cooking.

Anyway, in the crate was some diced beef. I do have a slow cooker so I was thinking maybe a stew? I have onions, mushrooms, carrots too but I don’t have beef stock cubes. I only have chicken or veg stock. Does anyone know how I can make this into a meal?

I’m isolating with a high risk child so I can’t go to the shop unfortunately.

Thanks.

Use veg stock.
Pre-brown the onions and meat in a frying pan. Add everything to the slowcooker, cover with veg stock, and turn on. Simple. Even if you had no stock at all, you could just use water and add flavourings like herbs, pepper, etc.

Do you have any marmite instead of the stock that you can put in some water for the stew?
If you don't hate it of course! I'm veggie and use it in stuff to create a 'richer' taste e.g. Where it's something like Ragu or spag bol etc.

Either of your stock cubes will be fine. Don’t use too much water as slow cooker doesn’t loose any in the process. You can alway check on it and add if too dry.
If you have and marmite, mustard, Rosemary/thyme add these too

Amazing thank you. I have 400 grams of beef. Should 1 stock cube do it?

Just stick a couple of veg stock cubes in, it will be fine.

I Sauté the onions, brown the meat, add some veg, water & stock cubes & maybe a pinch of mixed dried herbs & a twist of pepper.
I have no clue how to use a slow cooker, I just stick mine in the oven on low for around 3 hours so the meat is really tender. If you can cut through the meat with the wooden spoon you stir it with then it’s done.
I thicken it up with some gravy powder/granules before serving.

I don't use a slow cooker but assuming you have some oil and flour:

Sear the meat in hot oil and transfer to casserole dish or slow cooker.
Add gently sauteed and softened onion and carrots.
Use a veggie stock cube and give it a good stir.
Pepper and v little salt.

You could liven it up with tom puree and/or tin toms.
Tin of oxtail soup.
HP sauce and/or worcester sauce

Few dried herbs.
If you add the mushrooms remember they will release water and make your stock runnier.

Should be delish.

I have mustard and a few herbs in jars. I’ve got mixed herbs which has thyme, marjoram, parsley, oregano, sage and basil in it. Would that work?

If you stir in a spoonful of plain flour at the browning phase and make sure everything is well coated, you will get a nice gravy with the stew. A splash of wine or beer also adds flavour.

Yes your mixed herbs will be fine. Add a splosh of red wine or beer if you have some.

Add two or three cloves of garlic if you have them.

I’ve got some garlic granules, should I add those? I also have no beer or wine 🙈 Really running low on lots of things now. Thanks so much everyone.

You don't need a lot of liquid in a slow cooker! So the meat juices will flavour the veg stock fine. Google for quantities of liquid as too much is a rookie error. Will be delicious

Yes you can use garlic granules, read the packaging to see how much to add for your quantity.

It turned out amazing! Thanks all. Me and my kids even made dumplings too 😋

Looks fab. Well done!

Looks good. I love a slow cooker casserole.

Great! Hope that has helped your confidence

Get them to bring you a pint of beer and chuck that in.

Brilliant! Those dumplings look fantastic! Well done!