Padding out a beef stew with carrots and celery?

[anonymousbird]

I've got some beef stew defrosting for tonight, but it looks like it may be a bit paltry for two. I'm not passing a shop today, but have carrots and celery in the fridge. I can see some small carrot pieces going in and cooking through, however, celery in a beef stew?

Wasn't so sure, so am grateful for any thoughts!

Sounds good to me!

It will probably make it tastier. Certainly the carrots will.

It dissolves so you wouldn't recognise it as celery. All adds to the flavour!

I always have celery and carrots in beef stew.

I always put carrots and celery in a beef stew, tastes delicious.

I use Jamie’s ministry of food for a beef stew recipe and that has celery in.

Can’t you just serve it with plenty of mash ?

Carrot, celery and onion is the foundation on which a great stew is built.

They are both essential ingredients in mine.

Carrot, celery and onion is the foundation on which a great stew is built.
Can't improve on Mornings post, but will say don't put in too much celery.

You could chop/ blitz in processor an onion, a carrot and some celery and use it as basis of stew when browning meat. Then add chopped carrots to bulk up.

Of course celery goes into a beef stew!

A single stick of celery will enhance a beef stew.
Don't add a whole head of celery as it will make it watery and taste of nothing but celery.
Mr Squiffany learned this the hard way and ended up with celery stew with beef

Thanks all! I figured it might work, but just so good to get some experienced views! I genuinely can't remember what the basis of this particular stew was, but am sure it will benefit from carrots and celery and will just let it cook for a good length of time so that everything beds in nicely!

One stick of celery it is.

Can you add dumplings? Those veg are always staples in a stew.

I might have what I need for some dumplings - proper padding out then!! Good idea.

Carrot, celery and onion are the holy trinity of stews/ragu cookery, it will give depth of flavour to your stew. To bulk it out you could add things like lentils, haricots blanc, butter beans. Even a spoon of pudding rice with stretch it a little and not be noticed!

Dumplings with plenty of herbs, rosemary is my favourite...

How about some Yorkshire puds? Hard to beat using them as a scoop for the stew 🤤

I add allsorts, lentils, barley, assorted veg and more gravy makes it all feell more bulky and filling. I second served in yorkies though yum!

It's come out a treat, thank you. And definitely plenty now to feed two hungry adults after a busy day at work! Ran out of time to do the dumplings, but will definitely do some next time.