Thursday, March 11, 2010

Show & Tell #64

My first attempt at something from scratch with my new slow cooker:



This blurry cell phone picture doesn't really do it justice, but this was last night's dinner--beef stew (before I added the peas). It looked good, smelled good, and tasted--well, it tasted fine, but kinda bland. Good for a first attempt, especially since I did not use a recipe and just literally threw things together...and the house did not burn down (a fear that has made me shy away from slow cookers).

So what do you put in your beef stew to give it some Umpf?


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10 comments:

..Soo.See.. said...

I like beef stew! And I'm impressed you made it from scratch. I can't seem to do that yet w/ my slow cooker. It's like I see it empty in front of me and I go blank.

Mrs. Gamgee said...

Looks yummy!

There's a few things that I add depending on my mood. First up, I am a garlic freak, so lots of the stinky stuff. Worchestershire sauce is another must. Sometimes I add some red wine (if I've got some left over in the fridge) or some balsamic vinegar. Balsamic goes great with beef.

Also, to get good beefy flavour, its a good idea to brown your stewing beef before you throw it in the slowcooker.

Have fun experimenting!

areyoukiddingme said...

Not a fan of beef stew, although I did like when my mom made the kind with red wine and onions. That was good...

Flying Monkeys said...

Beer. I like to add beer to mine. A nice amber ale...or a Guinness.

I can never get my stew as thick as my mom got hers. I think she used a packet, maybe that's what I need to do.

It looks tasty!

Anonymous said...

Red wine and fresh thyme - those are the two ingredients I won't make a stew without.

Terry said...

I put black beer, pearl onions, carrots...I throw the beef in flour and brown it before putting it the slow cooker. Yum !

Kristin said...

I made beef stew last night too. For beef stew with a bit of a twist, I added some white wine, a bit of rosemary, some thyme, a little salt some parsley...yum, yum.

Lynn said...

Looks yummy! I add Worcestershire sauce to mine. Gives it just a bit of kick. Love beef stew :D

Baby On Mind said...

I love beef stew too, though I've never made it in a slow cooker. Now I am craving for some. I might have to make some this weekend.

MrsSpock said...

I second Mrs Gamgee's suggestion for balsamic. I also add worcestershire. The best stew I've ever made, though, had a pint of Guinness in it.

Best slow cooker site is www.crockpot365.blogspot.com.

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