Help me cook the Stew Mix pack for best results plese

[sweetestB]

I have this Stew Mix from sainsburys, it contain pearl barley, green split peas, lentille vertes, dried tomato and dried onion. The packet instruction tells me to cook and drain (really?) Or ad to casserole recipes biut I have never cooked casserole before and I don't have a casserole dish (the ones with a lid that goes in the oven) and I don't have a slow cooker. How can I cook and serve it?

Its to go in as a base into soups and stews.

I happen to have a pot of soup with a similar mix in on the go right now!

Does your pack say to soak over night? mine did, but maybe mine has other things in that need soaking.

I just boiled mine up for 10 mins, then simmered for about 20 mins, then added to some onions and tiny chopped beef steak, 2 chicken stock cubes, some peeled and diced potatos, carrots and parsnips.

Bring to the boil, then simmer for ? 2 hrs ish?

I did all that in one large saucepan.

....and I drained my soup/stew mix after boiling/simmering!

But if you drain it means you have no soup juice doesn't it?? I will defrost my beef and pop into the shops for carrots, I got some potatoes already. The pack says it contains dried onions, should I put more?? Cook instructions are: boil rapidly for 10 minute uncovered/reduce the heat/cover and simmer for 30 minutes until pulses are tender. Good tip about 2 chicken stock cubes, I would have used only 1 cube otherwise.

You drain it because the 'juice' from the mix wouldn't be tasty and it tends to be a bit cloudy and frothy.

you add water/stock for juice and to cook the meat and potatos/carrots etc.

My mix didnt have onions and I would always add a fresh chopped onion anyway as it adds to the flavour.

I also added a couple of sprigs of fresh thyme but thats optional really.

You can use the mix as a base for most soups, Ive used it to make a vegetable soup too and chicken as well.

I just thrown handful or two in whenever I cook a casserole. Do nothing more than that.

Oh so you cook it in water, drain and add it to whatever else. I see. Because reading the packet I got the impression that you drain and serve. Duh

Yes, its more of a thing to add to a dish to fill it out.

thickens soups and stews nicely.