Hm Beef Stew ??

babyshoes

What don't you like about roast dinners? I would cook them more regularly if they were quicker, but if I start one after work we end up eating too late. They are so easy though! I just put all the veg (choose veg that will roast well, root veg is great as are mushrooms and peppers. Broccoli isn't so good) under the meat (which I put on a rack) so it all cooks together, then just make a gravy with the juices afterwards.
If you don't mind about potatoes not being crispy, you can chuck potatoes in with the veg too - baby potatoes are yum done like this as they soak up a lot of the juices. In fact, we often don't bother with potatoes if we have enough other starchy veg to fill us up. I like butternut squash, parsnips, sweet potato etc.

Your stew sounds good, just be sure to taste it as you go along - once the meat is cooked enough to be safe, taste the sauce and tweak it a bit with seasoning etc as necessary. I like a bit of tomato in mine, either a tin of chopped tomatoes or paste - but it is all down to taste and what you think is nice. As long as you keep it in the fridge after cooling, it should be fine for a few days after cooking. Another way to thicken a stew is to add chunks of potato and mash them with a spoon when cooked, or if you are in a hurry a handful of frozen mash is nearly as good.

Kevie192

I would definitely put some cubes of potato in there too.

I always make stew according to my mum's recipe. She uses a tin of oxtail soup as the base with a little water and add a can of baked beans when nearly cooked. Delish!

meg72

I like to add a tin of mushy peas to thicken my stew.

LandyAndy

bigmomma051204 wrote: »

My next nemesis is fish pie - so if anyone has any good recipes, tips or hints then please let me know! Hubby wont eat this as he hates fish lol!

Anyone have any other staple family recipes i should try?

I really want to make liver and bacon in gravy BUT the slippery liver scares me :eek:

May move onto proper old school puddings next - can do pancakes lol ... would like to try and make a proper crumble, and an apple pie

Delia's 'fisherman's pie'from her original book is easy tasty and works. And you can then change the ingredients to suit yourself.

In fact, Delia's Complete Cookery Course will give you excellent recipes for all the 'old school favourites'.

Happy cooking.

bigmomma051204

Just to update you all The stew was delish!!!!! My hubby and son, both of whom were not keen (hubby in fact has always told me he HATES stew!) thought it was lush and gobbled it up! The parsnips went a tad mush like (some survived) but i believe that helped the thickening so bonus result there!! :j I even made dumplings and despite thinking that would be a step too far for the stew haters, they also loved these!!! So happy and impressed This cooking lark is great shakes! Of course, i am off work for the week - its a very different Bigmomma who schleps home 5 days a week and is expected to rustle something fantastic up at the drop of a hat LOL.....

BUT, i had a spectacular thought! If i was to make this on a Sunday night, we could have it next day - Mondays are always nightmare days for me cooking-wise so jobs a good 'un! So if we have this on a Monday, lasagne on a Tuesday and Wednesday (always make a big one!) then that only leaves two week days to think about! I am really getting into this whole meal planning malarkey thanks to you guys!!!:T:T:T:T

samejh

Rather than oxtail soup I add a can off sp mince n onion just before serving, it not only bulks and thickens but tastes great.