Beef casserole/stew

[chocpott]

Okay, get a load of cubed beef last night (about a kilo) at Aldi for 75% off - worked out at 63p a packet of beef (about 250g). Want to put on a beef slow cooker casserole tonight to cook overnight. Never done this before! Please give me a fool-proof recipe that does not require browning off the meat first, thank you. Oh, and if I chugged in some red wine, would that be okay too?

I'd put chopped onion, garlic, some carrots in chunks, stock and wine (measure by eye as you don't want too much liquid or it'll be watery), couple of tablespoons of tomato puree, herbs if you've got them and coat the beef in seasoned flour. Stick it all in on low overnight.

@MotherOfGodWeeFella Thank you, sounds about what I was planning. I'm a nervous 'cook' as my mind thinks everything will be okay but the reality is usually different! Do I need to cover everything in the slow cooker (its big!) with liquid or just half-way? My brain says 'about half-way' but my other brain will chuck in too much!

I wouldn't completely cover everything if the pot is very full when you first put it in as the meat will shrink a bit as it cooks and you'll end up with the gravy being too thin. I would give everything a stir round after a couple of hours though.

I'd also add salt and pepper even with stock and some seasoning in the flour.

@MotherOfGodWeeFella Will sort all this out tonight and check it in the morning. Thank you for your help. Really looking forward to a lovely, tasty (I hope!) casserole tomorrow evening after work.

Good luck - I'm sure it will be fine. Always good to come home to dinner being ready!

@MotherOfGodWeeFella It was good! Husband and one daughter wouldn't eat it but one daughter and I enjoyed it with boiled potatoes and steamed broccoli. Am making another one today (need to cook beef!) and will attempt dumplings too!

If the gravy is watery just add cornflour before you serve

And it’s much better with mash than boiled!

Great - thanks for updating. Good luck with the dumplings! You can freeze the stew once it's made don't forget.

This recipe is good - dead easy and comes out yummy.

www.ambitiouskitchen.com/moms-slow-cooker-beef-stew/