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Original poster

Beef stew

57 replies

lemonbiscuit · 04/12/2018 19:49

What’s your go to recipe for beef stew? I made one tonight with pale ale, carrots, parsnips and mushrooms, but it was OK, but the pale ale gave it a bit of bitterness that was a bit unpleasant. So I’m looking for a recipe that gives the stew a really nice rich flavour without any bitterness. Thanks!

OP posts:
Weepingwillows12 · 04/12/2018 19:52

I like beef, carrots, onions, swede, potatoes cooked slow and low heat with just good beef stock and salt and pepper. Then dumplings in at the end. Simple but tasty.

Or sometimes beef in red wine with carrots, mushrooms, shallots, celery, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf.

MistyReturns · 04/12/2018 19:59

Funny enough I had exactly the same experience a few weeks ago (minus parsnips). I added a tablespoon of tomato purée the next time I made it. Perfect - no bitterness & really rich.

MistyReturns · 04/12/2018 20:00

Oh and I use a dark ale as well now.

Accountant222 · 04/12/2018 20:38

Look up Delicious Magazine, beef daube, food for the gods

Original poster
lemonbiscuit · 04/12/2018 22:55

Thanks for the replies and the tips!

OP posts:
SpoonBlender · 04/12/2018 23:22

Yeah, IPA is a bad plan unless you really like the bitterness. Go for a golden/dark ale or stout instead.

I just make mine up as I go along. Beef, carrot, onion, can of tomatos, salt, pepper, oxo are staples, maybe some cajun/moroccan spices all fried up. Then I may stop or add any of celery, peppers, potato, lentils, bacon bits, chorizo, mushrooms, spinach, random root veg, peas, string beans, broad beans, caulliflower, broccoli... green veggies go in very late or they go mushy.

Twotabbycats · 05/12/2018 01:05

Yes I use a dark beer - or wine. Around half and half wine or beer and beef stock.

Gordon Ramsey's Beef in Beer is delicious.

Blondie1984 · 05/12/2018 01:31

I do a similar version to you OP but I always have onions or shallots in mine - they add sweetness

halfwitpicker · 05/12/2018 01:36

I find it really depends on the cut of meat you use. The cubes you can get never really 'melt' for me. IFYSWIM, even when cooking for hours.

I like to use a bottom blade roast, cook on low for 4 hours. Leeks, onions, carrots, then the baby spuds in at the end for an hour. Beef stock, wine, teaspoon mustard for the liquid portion. Make sure to sear the beef and veg before you put it in the oven.

Zulor · 05/12/2018 01:38

I'm Irish, so it would be very basic ingredients, with the flavour coming from the meat.

Brown the beef on the sides in a frying pan.

Boil kettle, and make a Knorr Chicken (yes I said chicken) stock

I add about 6 carrots (sliced) and two medium onions (chopped).

Bung the whole lot into a big saucepan, bring to the boil and then simmer at the lowest simmer you can get your cooker to do for about 2 and a half hours.

You will get a lovely flavour and tender beef.

The best recipes have very few ingredients.

Zulor · 05/12/2018 01:40

And if you're not averse to salt in your diet, I would add salt at the frying beef stage.

Zulor · 05/12/2018 01:42

Beef stew does not have wine nor beer in it.

Zulor · 05/12/2018 01:45

There are however loads of recipes which use ale (dark beers like Guinness).
Bouef Bourgignon uses red wine

But a basis beef stew doesn't use either.

halfwitpicker · 05/12/2018 01:46

Mine does, zulor

CarrieBlu · 05/12/2018 01:49

Beef
Carrots
Onions
Mushrooms
Puy lentils
Stock
Tomato purée
Marmite
Mixed herbs
Dark ale

Slow cook for 4 hours and you’ll get a dark sticky stew. Always tastes delicious!

Zulor · 05/12/2018 01:50

That's why you're a halfwit by your own admission haha

Zulor · 05/12/2018 01:54

CarrieBlu - you're putting too many flavours in there with your mixed herbs. They should be reserved for things like stuffing which are an an accompaniment to a dish. You don't poison the entire dish with mixed herbs.

CarrieBlu · 05/12/2018 01:59

Oh shut up Zulor, who made you King/Queen of beef stew? The OP asked for suggestions, people have given her some and they vary as, shock horror, people have different tastes!

My beef stew is delicious, everyone who eats it enjoys it and asks for more, so I’ll keep making it the way I like it thanks.

Zulor · 05/12/2018 02:01

I'm going to take a wild guess here, but your kids don't eat your stew Carrie?

halfwitpicker · 05/12/2018 02:01

My username exists for the likes of you zulor. Make it easy for you. Wouldn't want you to have to break that brain cell.

Zulor · 05/12/2018 02:02

Oh shut up yourself!

Zulor · 05/12/2018 02:04

It's so nice of you to think of us amoebas. With a brain cell.
As we are clearly a step above mere amoebas.

CarrieBlu · 05/12/2018 02:04

No they don’t, because one just doesn’t like meat in any shape or form and the other is an unweaned baby. I make it for the adults who regularly eat at our house. Why, what ridiculous point are you trying to make Zulor?

Klobuchar · 05/12/2018 02:05

That escalated quickly, I must say

Zulor · 05/12/2018 02:07

People have lost sight of basic traditional cooking. They're putting paprika, chilli, mixed herbs? into a beef stew!
I really don't give a shit what y'all eat!
I'm telling you how a beef stew is traditionally cooked through the centuries. And it was NOT with mixed herbs and Marmite!