Beef and ale casserole - hob?

[Lolaloveslemonade]

I usually use a slow cooker and after 4/5 hrs the beef is really tender.
Slow cooker has broken so I thought I’d gently simmer it on the hob for the same amount of time.
Will this work?

It’s the timing I’m not sure of... hob recipes say 2.5 hrs on the hob but will I need longer?

Yes or just sling it in the oven on a very low heat. Which will require less attention if it’s an option. Should cook faster on the hob than in the slow cooker.

Thanks! I’m going to try it now. I’ll just take it off the heat if it’s done too early.
If I wasn’t using the oven for cakes today it would go in there. 👍🏻

Another vote for oven on low.

Yes, hob will do, but easier and probably better in the oven

Oooh sounds yummy in your house today!

doadeer It smells lovely! I miss my slow cooker though!

Derailing a bit but can I have the recipe? I did a slow cooker beef and ale casserole last week and it came out a bit tasteless and watery and now my freezer is full of it because I doubled the quantity so I'm looking out for a new one!

Keep an eye on it, it will dry out quicker on the hob. I'd low simmer for 2 hours with a lid on, then cool and put it in the fridge
Reheat it when you want it

Oven on low, for sure. Its too easy, IMO, to not have a simmer low enough on the hob and toughen it.

@ErrolTheDragon

Oven on low, for sure. Its too easy, IMO, to not have a simmer low enough on the hob and toughen it.

They can't use the oven as they need it to bake cakes

Yes. It will be fine. Biggest pan on the smallest hob on lowest possible setting. Check every now and then that the liquid level is ok, you'll need a bit more than you use in your sloco, about 1/3 more usually.

DH prefers to use the hob over the sloco so we do this very regularly here.

Sorry, just saw the time if your OP

I usually cook a stew on the hob for 4-5 hours on the lowest heat. I find the meat is more tender than in the slow cooker for some reason.

Bearly
This is the basic recipe. I use beef oxo cubes.
You can save your waterway tasteless casserole! Defrost it and put it in a pan. Gently heat and add a beef OXO cube (or more until it tastes nice)
Mix a tablespoon of cornflour with a small amount of water In a cup (thickness of single cream) Pour it bit by bit into the simmering casserole until it thickens to the right consistency - stirring constantly.

www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/food/a544683/beef-and-ale-stew-with-dumplings/

Do it in the oven. Take it out while cakes cook if necessary. Hob is risky!

I'd missed the part about cakes...
I'd go back in time and make the casserole the day before baking - it's all the better made the day before.

It’s on the hob! 1 hour done and stirred 3 times... It’s a pain because it starts to stick a bit but smells gorgeous!
First lot of cakes made... I have lots of baking to do today - better at that than cooking.
DH is on stirring duty too. I think I’ll buy a new slow cooker tbh!!

Errol I should have done this!

Definitely buy a new slow cooker - they're a god send!

I tend to use oven on a low heat rather than hob for that length of time

DIY slow cooker:
Get it really hot and bubbly on the job for 30 mins ish. Take off heat. Put lid on, wrap in a towel, then wrap in a blanket, stick in a box. Perhaps put it back in the hob every 1.5 hrs. The insulation should keep it cooking slowly.

Think that's what we used to do with a hay box? That takes me back a bit!