Bland bland bland beef stew - help!

[TheDevilWearsPrimark]

Ironically I was posting to help an op who had a far too salty beef casserole just earlier today.

It made me crave stew and it's been cooking for four hours but is just horribly bland - help!

I've added

Stewing Steak
Shallots
Carrots
Butternut Squash
Parsnips
1/2 tin chopped toms
1/2 bottle red wine
homemade veg stock
Glugs of Hendersons Relish
Salt, pepper

What can I do!?

Garlic, maybe some french mustard?

Bisto.

flees thread

I stopped making beef stews for this reason years ago.

I did find adding some warming things helped - ginger, a little chilli etc.

Also beef stock - or just marmite if that's all you have. Or even some bisto.

I tend to do a seasoning thing to put on top, but don't have the right ingredients.

Sort of pinched from Jamie oliver-

lemon zest, garlic, chilli and rosemary pounded together and sprinkled when serving.

I don't have Bisto - will it really help? Is it that awful?

Don't use veg stock t0 make beef stew. Add an Oxo cube and 3 cloves of garlic, and stew it for another 2 hours.

Oh and thanks - will try chilli, I can't bear ginger in savoury foods (odd I know)

worcester sauce

OldLady , I was thinking a needed a emotican got the bisto suggestion!

Cumin and coriander would work too.

Marmite adds a certain loveliness.

Garlic salt, Cumin and coriander just added, I'll report back. Thanks , hope it works.

And yes never stew again - far more faff than you expect it to be.

Now to start a thread about why my dumplings taste like playdoh......

if you are stewing, stick to lamb. Can't go wrong. But I have a good feeling about the additions you've made so far.

Oh hoorays it's yummy!

Thanks all of youze!

Yes I do love a good Lamb casserole, with Harrissa, mmmmmm

Yeah, stew's one of those things that meant to be so easy, just chuck it all in a pot but it never turns out that way, and usually disappointing. Doesn't keep brilliantly either, goes a bit like baby food when you reheat it. I tend to mainly cook things that can last two meals!

I would second coldtits and not use veg stock in a beef stew. Throw in some beef oxo/boveril/gravy granules, not very cheffy I'm afraid but usually works for me. Someone said wooster (sp!) sauce too - that does work quite well to perk things up. Even fry some sliced red pepper and add to it maybe?

I fry everything first in a little oil before adding to stew/casserole; the meat, with onion and any chopped veg until meat is browned and veg is a bit soft, I also season with plenty of salt. Then I add this to stock etc to stew/casserole, I find I always get a better flavour this way.

I would add some Beef Bouillion, it's in a glass bottle you can get it from most supermarkets and it's a rich stock. Just put it straight in without water and don't be shy with it. I would also get some more seasoning in there.

Hope this helps x

Add prunes and simmer for 30 mins more. Will make a huge difference!

There is a great stew recipe with pruneswritten by a French mum here:
tastydiaries.com/newtasty/comforting-beef-stew-with-prunes-and-carrots

I also subscribed to her weekly recipe newsletter which I love. She has simple recipes that give you ideas for the week ahead.

I often add some HP Sauce when I make a beef stew

I always add a lot of some Worcestershire sauce and some cayenne.

Probably too late now, but if in doubt just stir in a big dollop of horseradish just before serving.

I think beef stew tastes nicer made with beer rather than red wine btw.