Review: Vegetable-Beef Stew march 2004

[Bawstinn]

This one went over well, but I think I like the techique of the Oven Baked Stew better; especially since it cooked longer in the oven. I used guiniess (sp) and was amazed at how great it smelled while cooking, so I may incorporate using the beer in the Oven Baked Beef Stew rather than the wine. The broth had a lot of flavor and it thickened up nicely; tastes great the next day. Never tried turnips before and found I am not a fan.

Question: I was curious as to why it called for lemon juice and sugar to be added. Does anyone know -- is is because of the beer? I was wondering if I used it in the Oven Baked Beef Stew if I would have to add the lemon juice and sugar there, to help with the flavor of the stout, maybe?

Maria

Vegetable-Beef Stew

2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 pound beef stew meat, R-T-C
14 ounces beef broth
12 ounces beer
1 1/2 cups potato -- cubed
1 cup turnips -- chopped
1 cup leeks -- chopped
1 cup carrot -- sliced
3 sprigs thyme
1 whole bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons flour, all-purpose
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup parsley -- chopped

Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook 5 minutes, browning on all sides. Add beef broth and next 9 ingredients (broth through black pepper), stirring to combine. Bring to a boil. Cover reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes or unitl vegetables are tender; stirring occasionally. Discard bay leaf and thyme sprigs.

Combine 1/4 cup water, flour, lemon juice and sugar stirring well with a whisk. Add flour mixture to beef mixture, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil. Cook 3 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in parsley. Garnish with thyme sprigs if desired.

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 365 Calories; 11g Fat (28.8% calories from fat); 33g Protein; 28g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 72mg Cholesterol; 730mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 Grain(Starch); 4 Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

[AnnaSue]

I made this tonight, and I thought it was good...but not great. I agree that it really did smell good while cooking, but it seemed to be missing something in the end. I had never cooked with turnips before either, but have to say I couldn't tell the difference between the potatoes and the turnips in the final version, so I'm not really sure if I like them or not. I don't think I'd make this again, there are much better beef stew recipes. I still have to try the oven-baked one!

Maria - I'm not sure about the lemon juice and sugar part either.

[Chris415]

I made this last night for our St. Patrick's Day dinner with the soda bread and salad in the 3/04 issue. I have no idea what happened, but the stew was uneatable! I took out the beef, and threw the rest in the compost pile, even before dinner ended! There was such a bitter taste to it, the only thing I could think was I didn't let the beer cook out enough. I used a stout, which they suggested, but I it was just way too bitter. Blech! I also used a few old carrots and a turnip, but they couldn't affect that taste that much, could they? Or could it be a combination of the beer with lemon?

I don't know, but all I do know is this is one of the worst meals I've ever made! But the stew in the Jan/Feb issue was great!
Chris

[Peggy]

Gosh Chris - I'm so sorry to hear the stew turned out so bedly for you! What a bummer for St. Patrick's Day!! I was going to make it Sunday night, but may have to rethink that plan. Maybe it was the beer that made it bitter. ???

Peggy

[Chris415]

Hi Peggy,
I have no idea, although I think that stout beer is on the bitter side. DH= said I should have used the Bud that was already in the fridge, I went out and specially bought that one! Good thing it wasn't a six pack!

If you do make this, Peggy, let me know how it is. I'm curious about others' experiences!
Chris

[nlh]

We made this last night for St. Patrick's Day. It smelled heavenly. I don't care for turnips so I substituted butternut squash for it. I also didn't have shallots so I used about 1/2 C. of chopped onion. I couldn't find the Guinness Stout so I used another brand (Potter's maybe?). I had a taste out of the bottle and it wasn't too bad but it had a tremendous aftertaste (is that the norm for stouts?). Bah!

DH loved the stew and had it again for lunch today. I agree that I've had better beef stews and this won't go on the repeater list for me.

Linda

[Peggy]

Today the rain returned and we were back to "stew" weather. So, I defrosted the stew meat I had bought during our long streak of 80 degree days and made this stew. I didn't have Guiness beer so I substituted Hefeweisen (? on spelling) because that's what DH had in the refrigerator. I believe it is a much milder beer. Anyway, the beer smell/taste was nonexistent during the cooking and in the end product. The stew meat was very tender for cooking only about an hour. It was great because the prep time was so short. I agree there are better stew recipes, but this one has the advantage of taking less time to cook.

Peggy