Bulking out braising steak

[FusionChefGeoff]

Got some cheap cubed braising steak but still pretty pricey if I do my usual beef stifafo recipe.

Would lentils work to bulk it out or would it be a bit of a weird combo?

Mix of carrots / celery / suede?? / potatoes perhaps?

Any other recipes / ideas?

If it's stifado I would add lots of shallots and tomatoes. Lots of crusty bread or crispy potatoes. Cannellini beans might be nice too?

Yes cannelini beans are a good shout.

Doesn't have to be stifafo - happy with a more traditional casserole just need it to go a long way!

mushrooms?

don't cut them too small, or put them in too early otherwise they vanish.

How much have you got and how many people

When trying to make stews go further I tend to add some chopped.tomatoe and also some beans or chickpeas and plenty of root veg like carrots and potatoes. Also ensure the base is substantial - onions, leeks, celery etc

I make stew with steak, onions, carrots, swede, celery. And you could add potatoes too.

No fixed number to feed but I've got 1kg of steak and like to batch a load for the freezer and for a friend.

All good ideas so I'm going to do them all!

• chopped up base celery, onions and small carrots
• chunks of suede, potatoes and parsnips
• mushrooms towards the end
• tinned Toms
• cannelini beans

Maybe beef stock, thyme, bit of bacon too, bit of Guiness, yummy!

Lots of gravy and top with dumplings.

Barley rather than lentils maybe, if you wanted 'bulk' rather than 'ingredient'.

don't orget the garlic!
barley or buckwheat work great
sweet potatos and potato
gravy granules for great flavour and thickener.
thyme.
perhaps a touch of smoked paprika
dash of wine or vinegar.
tom paste

Celeriac?

Grated courgette gives bulk with very little taste.

I would probably cook it as it is, then freeze in smaller portions and add a tin of canillini beans when I reheated it.

Mix of carrots / celery / suede?? / potatoes perhaps
Suede might be a bit chewy
Butterbeans are very Greek so I'd go for those if you like beans.

Dumplings are a good way to make a stew very filling but has anyone ever frozen them? Do they freeze ok?