James Martin - How To Make Beef Stew and Dumplings

beef broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water + bouillon

Vegetable broth reduces calories and is suitable for vegetarians.

red wine

🥗Healthier: non-alcoholic wine

💰Cheaper: grape juice

Grape juice provides sweetness without alcohol.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier and can replace butter in cooking.

flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: all-purpose flour

Whole wheat flour offers more nutrients.

Preheat the slow cooker on low setting.

Coat the stewing beef in flour and salt.

Heat olive oil in a pan and brown the beef in batches until colored, adding more oil as needed.

Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker.

Add chopped carrots, leek, celery, and baby onions to the slow cooker.

Crush and add fresh thyme to the slow cooker.

Pour in a good quality red wine and beef stock to cover the ingredients.

Cover and let cook on low for about 5 hours.

To make dumplings, mix flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt in a bowl.

Add chopped fresh parsley and chives to the dry mix.

Gradually add cold water until a dough forms with a loose texture.

Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling mixture into the slow cooker on top of the stew.

Cover and cook for an additional 20-25 minutes until dumplings puff up.

Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens