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Beef stew with dumplings for kids

A popular recipe which can be cooked in the oven or slow cooker...

★★★★★ Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars. 17 Ratings
Rate this recipe
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Serves 4
  • Freezable

Preparation

Total time
2 Hrs 20 Mins
Preparation time
20 Mins
Cooking time
2 Hrs

Stew

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 1 clove of garlic, crushed

  • 3 carrots, chopped

  • 500g braising steak

  • 1 tbsp flour

  • 1 tbsp tomato puree

  • 500ml beef stock

  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Dumplings

  • 175g self raising flour

  • 75g suet, shredded

  • 1 tbsp parsley, chopped

  • ½ tsp pepper

  • water

Stew

  1. Preheat oven 170'C

  2. In a large oven proof dish, fry onions in a little oil until they are translucent, add the beef and fry until the beef is browned

  3. Stir in the flour then add the stock, tomato puree, carrots, garlic and balsamic vinegar

  4. Cover with a tightly fitting lid and place in a 170'C oven for around 2 hours - braising steak tends to be get more tender the longer you cook it

  5. Add pepper if necessary but you may find that the stock gives enough seasoning

Dumplings

  1. While the stew is cooking, sieve the flour into a bowl and add the suet, parsley and pepper

  2. Next add enough water to make a soft but not sticky dough, around 2-3 tbsp

  3. Lightly flour your hands and roll the dough into eight small balls

  4. Add to the stew 20 minutes before the end of the cooking time

You will need

Large oven-proof dish - Made from durable stoneware, the glaze applied on this oven-proof dish creates a beautiful mottled grey finish when heated so it's not only practical but also stylish, too. Find it at Amazon for £18.

Variations

Vary the vegetables - other possibilities include parsnips, swede, butternut squash or mushrooms - also try frying some leeks instead of onions

Slow cooker method: coat the meat with the flour and brown in a pan (optional), transfer to the slow cooker and add the other ingredients - stir well - cook for about 8 hrs on LOW, about 30-60 minutes before serving, turn the slow cooker up to HIGH, make up the dumpling mixture and add dumplings to the top of the stew - cook for 30-40 minutes

Reviews

★★★★★ Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars. 17 Ratings
Rate this recipe
  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    This was so warming and tasty, we had it with dumplings... recommended!

    Reviewed on 13/11/15

  • Nicola D(1011)

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    Who doesn't love beef stew! This recipe is great and very easy to make.

    Reviewed on 08/10/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    Made this last night and it was great. Everyone ate it and there was none left would definitely make it again.

    Reviewed on 07/10/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    I like to add a handful of pearl barley too.

    Reviewed on 04/08/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    This is the most delicious recipe for stew that I ever had! It's always gobbled up in our house. I add 750g beef plus 3 carrots and 3 parsnips and I double the other ingredients and make a big batch as it freezes well too!!

    Reviewed on 20/07/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★☆ Rated 4 out of 5 stars.

    Tasty and easy to do

    Reviewed on 29/04/15

  • Carly-marie B

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    Amazing yet simple dish, kids love it

    Reviewed on 20/04/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    The perfect meal, any time of year :)

    Reviewed on 30/03/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    A firm favourite in our household, we make it n the slow cooker as it makes the meat mouth wateringly soft :) always empty plates when this is made

    Reviewed on 14/03/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    A firm favourite in our household, we make it n the slow cooker as it makes the meat mouth wateringly soft :) always empty plates when this is made

    Reviewed on 14/03/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    We've made this twice now and it's delicious!

    Reviewed on 12/03/15

  • Hayley D(390)

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    This is a really lovely stew :) Even the fussy eater ate it!

    Reviewed on 10/03/15

  • steven y(2)

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    I roasted some Red Onion, Carrots and Parsnips in the oven then added them to this stew that was cooking in my slow cooker. Turned a great stew into a fantastic stew.

    Reviewed on 02/03/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    Lovely x

    Reviewed on 15/02/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★☆ Rated 4 out of 5 stars.

    Filling and easy to make.

    Reviewed on 08/02/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★☆ Rated 4 out of 5 stars.

    I found that if you add the stock to the meat and flour in a pan before putting in the slow cooker the stew comes out thicker.

    Reviewed on 27/01/15

  • Louise A(625)

    ★★★★☆ Rated 4 out of 5 stars.

    Very easy and tasty recipe for beef stew, perfect winter comfort food.

    Reviewed on 22/01/15

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