James Whelan Butchers: Beef Stew with Dumplings

I always consider this winter food.  Of course it is delicious at anytime of the year but somehow perfect on a cold, dark and wet evening. Dumplings always add a comforting dimension and are perfect for soaking up the gravy.

Beef Stew with Dumplings – Printer Friendly Download

Ingredients

• 1 kg/ 2.2 lb  braising steak, cut into cubes
• 4 tablespoons plain flour
• Salt and pepper
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 large onions, chopped finely
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stick, sliced
• 1 turnip cup into cubes
• 500 ml/1 pint beef stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme

DUMPLINGS

• 145 g/6 oz plain flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ pint  milk
• 2 tablespoons oil

To Cook

Combine the flour, salt and pepper in a plastic bag.  Add the beef cubes and toss to coat.   Heat the oil over a moderate heat in a large saucepan or flameproof casserole dish and add the beef cubes.  Brown well on all sides.  This should be done in batches, removing the meat from the pan to a warmed plate until all the meat is browned.

Add the onion and cook until they start to turn translucent and then add the rest of the vegetables, stirring frequently to brown. Now return the beef to the pan and add the stock and herbs. Bring to the boil stirring well.

Cover tightly and reduce heat to as low as possible.  Simmer for at least 2 hours.

Approximately twenty minutes before serving  turn up the heat and bring to the boil and add the dumplings.

DUMPLINGS

To make the dumplings, sift the dry ingredients into a bowl and add the oil and milk.  Stir until the dry ingredients are mixed through and resemble a batter. Drop the dumplings onto the surface of the stew.

We hope you enjoyed reading this post by Pat Whelan of James Whelan Butchers. Pat is a 5th generation butcher, cook book author and the director of  James Whelan Butchers with shops in Clonmel, the Avoca Handweavers Rathcoole and Kilmacanogue, Dunnes Stores Cornelscourt, Rathmines and Swords in Dublin. Sign up to our newsletter for more updates from James Whelan Butchers

Tags: Avoca Irish Butcher, Beef stew, comfort food, dumplings, Irish Beef, Irish Butcher, James Whelan Butchers, Pat Whelan, Winter meal