To want stew and dumplings

[Trippingthelighteddaylight]

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?

Well I love stew and dumplings but I am vegetarian so probably not what you are looking for. Do you feel up to making a big pot full and freezing some.

Sorry for your loss 💐

I've never had dumplings! Where do you live? Probably work up north I guess

This is my go-to comfort food. Even if I found it in a restaurant, it wouldn’t be allergen free so I always make my own.

the good news is stew freezes wonderfully. Make up a big pot and freeze the leftovers in portions.

Do you have access to Cook meals where you are - a shop, concession in a garden centre or home delivery? Cooking for one can often be a complete pain in the backside.

Cook do an amazing steak and ale stew with cheese scone dumplings. It’s one of my favourite meals this time of year. Not cheap, but cooking for one often involves a bit of waste, so indulging in a good ready meal once in a while is definitely ok.

I’m really sorry for the loss of your husband - in case you don’t know, there is a bereavement board here which is very kind and supportive.

I'll have some please 🙋

I have two slow cookers, the small one is perfect for something like this. It makes enough for two people (3 at a push) and I freeze the left over stew.

Bloody love stew and dumplings! We tend to have it weekly in the autumn and winter months, a little less frequently in spring and just every so often in the summer. I love putting on the slow cooker before I start work and the smell drives you crazy as the day goes on lol. Our family favourite at the minute is a chicken stew/casserole - I seem to have found the right balance of everything that makes it really rich in flavour and is one of the few dishes where everyone has the exact same meal and very little waste. Love the idea of the stew takeaway!

I’m really sorry for your loss - I hope you get your stew.

There’s a thought that brings back happy childhood memories. Nowadays, every single time I make dumplings I phone my mother for her approval. It’s certainly the weather for them so thank you for the reminder.

I would definitely order from a stew and dumpling takeaway - in fact I already do as there are several excellent sources close to where I live.

Ooh yes, I love stew and dumplings but the best thing is how you can make one big pot and then freeze down extra portions. Dumplings are super quick and easy too if you have the ingredients? I don't even measure - just bung flour, suet, water and herbs in a bowl and chuck a couple on the top of the stew for the last 20mins. Can you prep it early so it doesn't feel like you are waiting for it to be ready later?

I’m so sorry for your loss OP.

I always crave stew and dumplings in moments of needed comfort. I never feel like making it myself during these times. Having it sent as a takeaway would be an amazing comfort . It always reminds me of my mum and no meal quite hits the nurturing spot like this one.

I think it would be a seasonal business and you might not get much interest in summer!
I love stew and dumplings but only beef stew made with lots of red wine and leftover gravy along with the stock and majorly herby dumplings which are fluffy on the bottom and crisped up under the grill on top.

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

Aldi does a nice one as does coop for £3 ish

Dumplings are unbelievably easy to make.

What an odd comment.
I grew up in London and ate dumplings as a child. My mum grew up in Germany and dumplings were part of her childhood as well.

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

Do it!

Empty nest here and DH works away, stick the stew in the oven in the morning and forget about it. Dumplings make two minutes to throw together and then sit them in the pot to cook on the stew an hour before you want to eat.

freeze the leftover stew for next time you have the urge.

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.

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.

You’re really missing out, @PhantomAfternoonTea …

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

https://tastetibet.com/

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.

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.

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

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.

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