Veggie casserole - couple of questions

Bogof_Babe

Hi, I am using a real olde-style brown earthenware casserole dish that I inherited from mum, and attempting to make a vegetarian casserole in it.

I've had the veg stewing in stock in the oven since 5.00 p.m., but not sure what time to add the thickening or the cut-up pre-cooked (leftover) veggie sausages. I know the dumplings go in about 20 mins before the end, but should the thickening go in before then? Also is it okay to just put the sausage pieces in for long enough to heat through? We usually eat at about 7.30.

By the way, did you veggies know that Bisto powder is suitable for vegetarians? I'm really pleased about that, as thickening with just cornflower always makes it look rather insipid.

buxtonrabbitgreen

When i make veggie casserole for my veggie DS I just cut up all the veg put soup mix in (which helps to thicken) and make veggie gravy granules and pur the gravy on top then cook on gas 3 for about 3 hours. It always seems thick enough. Your cooked sausages should be about right to put in when you put the dumpling in. If you have still to thicken it I should do it before the dumplings as they will be in the way when they are cooked.

Bogof_Babe

Thanks BRG, that reminds me I meant to get some of that soup mix. It's on the shopping list now!

I've just added everything else (dumplings last, as per your advice) so will see how it turns out in half an hour or so.

lightisfading

just to warn you if you didn't know already only certain types of bisto are veggie... afaik just the 'best' (red tub) one is, the other meat flavoured ones aren't.

Bogof_Babe

Thanks, but I meant the old fashioned Bisto powder (remember the ahhhh Bisto ads) in a brown cardboard packet. It has a vegetarian logo on the box. I would never have imagined it might be veggie, and am delighted to find that it is.

I must say it made all the difference to the casserole - it looked really gravy-like and appetising. I made the thickening like my mum used to - heaped teaspoon of Bisto, same of cornflour, mixed together with a little water and stirred into the stew pot about half an hour before the end of cooking time.

My dumplings need a little work though - they were on the stodgy side .