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Old 15-08-2009, 20:32
Andy Birkenhead
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Tonight I made beef stew and dumplings for tea, which was very tasty. I have used the usual ingredients - beef, carrots, swede, celery, poatoes, pearl barley, beef stock (oxo cubes), a bit of tomato puree and a splash of worcesteshire sauce.
Is there anything else I could add to give a richer, deeper flavour ?
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Old 16-08-2009, 01:30
degsyhufc
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Mushrooms. You could go for regular button, but there's not much flavour there or you can move up a step and use Chestnut or go all out and use porcini and similar deep flavour types. Personally, i'm not a fan of them in stews though.
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Old 16-08-2009, 12:38
Andy Birkenhead
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I have thought of adding mushrooms, but the wife doesn't like them !
I can't pick the mushrooms out of her portion, because the mushrooms would add their flavour to the whole stew !
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Old 16-08-2009, 12:40
whoever,hey
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red wine and a teaspoon of red wine vinegar would richen the sauce.
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Old 16-08-2009, 12:43
cosmo
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Knorr vegetable stock cubes as well as the beef stock.

I like to grate some of the vegetables as well to make the consistency a bit thicker.

And put in an onion cut in half.
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Old 16-08-2009, 13:00
weateallthepies
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Beer. Beef in beer is wonderfully rich and very easy.
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Old 16-08-2009, 13:26
indianwells
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Beer. Beef in beer is wonderfully rich and very easy.
Especially a dark stout like Guinness!!
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Old 16-08-2009, 13:44
cosmo
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If you want to cheat a bit you can also add a tin of Heinz Leek & Potato soup.
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Old 16-08-2009, 13:53
stud u like
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Chillis and vodka.
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Old 16-08-2009, 14:51
jabegy
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Tonight I made beef stew and dumplings for tea, which was very tasty. I have used the usual ingredients - beef, carrots, swede, celery, poatoes, pearl barley, beef stock (oxo cubes), a bit of tomato puree and a splash of worcesteshire sauce.
Is there anything else I could add to give a richer, deeper flavour ?

Sounds perfect, you've made me fancy beef stew now !!!
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Old 17-08-2009, 17:20
jinks420
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Stick some Maggi in it.
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Old 17-08-2009, 19:39
kmac
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I know it sounds naff but try using Heinz Ketchup instead of tomato puree.
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Old 17-08-2009, 20:05
Poppy Seed
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I was also going to ask where the ale was!
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Old 17-08-2009, 20:33
parthy
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Definitely add some onions. Sweat them before you add them to release more flavour. Ooh and garlic.

I love beef stew. It's a winter staple for me and freezes really well so I cook big batches.

I know it sounds naff but try using Heinz Ketchup instead of tomato puree.
Nothing wrong with a little ketchup.
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Old 17-08-2009, 20:36
kmac
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If you're making beef stew with doughballs/dumplings try adding some horseradish sauce to the doughball mixture.
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Old 17-08-2009, 20:38
kmac
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Definitely add some onions. Sweat them before you add them to release more flavour. Ooh and garlic.

I love beef stew. It's a winter staple for me and freezes really well so I cook big batches.



Nothing wrong with a little ketchup.
The recipe I use for beef stew comes from an old american recipe book and you put 1/2 a cup of ketchup in it, it's amazing the flavour that it gives the stew, really savoury and yummy!!
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Old 17-08-2009, 20:41
weateallthepies
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Especially a dark stout like Guinness!!
Oh yeah, definitely. Though I've found few beers which don't work after a slow cook. IPA is nice and seems to work well with lots of garlic. The only thing I tend not to use is anything with a really bitter, hoppy taste as you don't quite get that mouthwatering richness.

Damn I'm hungry now.
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Old 17-08-2009, 22:14
missloo
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red wine and tinned tomatoes i am going to make a beef stew myself this week - i've been hankering after one for a few weeks now.
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Old 18-08-2009, 09:37
Porcupine
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I love beef stew and make it a lot in winter.

I will only make it though when i have left over beef from a joint. I will also keep the juices / gravy from the meat to add to the stew. It makes it rich and delicious.
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Old 18-08-2009, 16:09
Espresso
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I find if you really make the effort to caramelise the onions first, for ages with a bit of sugar and cider vinegar, till they reduce to an unctuous goldeny gloop, it makes all the difference to the finished product.
Oh, and then use beer, of course. Mild is awesome as part of the liquid in a beef stew.
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Old 19-08-2009, 15:02
Andy Birkenhead
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Vodka ?? I don't think so thanks !
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Old 19-08-2009, 21:36
cream cookie
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I add a wee bit of vodka to my roasted tomato and red pepper soup and it's magic - gives it the perfect kick.

I like to add a bit of allspice to my curry, gives it some nice heat, especially in the winter... The weather is so rubbish here that it feels like winter, so I think I'm gonna have to make this at the weekend.
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Old 20-08-2009, 08:16
norbitonite
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A couple of squares of 70% chocolate. You'll be amazed.
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Old 20-08-2009, 16:03
degsyhufc
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If you cut back or leave out salt then you could add a dollop of marmite for a salty, savoury depth of flavour.
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Old 24-08-2009, 04:55
BigBHM
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You could try a 'bouquet Garnie' - which is just an infusion of herbs.
You can either try fresh or buy in in a pack ready made - comes in a 'teabag' style and adds SO much to a beef stew - just don't forget to take it out LMAO.

I also use Bay leaves in every stew/soup I make.
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