Stews/Casseroles

[ianbilly]

Anyone got any ideas for a casserole or stew. I don't really want to use many potatoes so i'm looking for something low carb to bulk it out a bit. I'll probably use carrot, swede, onion. How about lentils, chick peas or pearl barley? Any ideas welcome, Thanks all

ps It will have meat in it!!!

 

[Robin]

Anyone got any ideas for a casserole or stew. I don't really want to use many potatoes so i'm looking for something low carb to bulk it out a bit. I'll probably use carrot, swede, onion. How about lentils, chick peas or pearl barley? Any ideas welcome, Thanks all

ps It will have meat in it!!!

I quite often shove some lentils in something like that, pre boiled first for half an hour. Red if you want a mushy texture, green if you want something with a more solid presence ( I don't mean chewy, exactly, I just mean they retain their shape rather than breaking down). Or I chuck a can of cannellini beans in ( or any other sort, whichever you like) or chick peas with a lamb and Moroccan spices effort.

 

[grovesy]

Well my husband does not like it pulses in but if I was making for my self I would put also veg in and soup mix( mix of lentils ect), I would use leek instead of onion I think it gives soups and stews better flavour.

 

[ianbilly]

Well my husband does not like it pulses in but if I was making for my self I would put also veg in and soup mix( mix of lentils ect), I would use leek instead of onion I think it gives soups and stews better flavour.

Thanks Grovesy, i love Leeks, forgot about those!

 

[ianbilly]

I quite often shove some lentils in something like that, pre boiled first for half an hour. Red if you want a mushy texture, green if you want something with a more solid presence ( I don't mean chewy, exactly, I just mean they retain their shape rather than breaking down). Or I chuck a can of cannellini beans in ( or any other sort, whichever you like) or chick peas with a lamb and Moroccan spices effort.

I like the sound of Beans, thanks Robin

 

[grovesy]

Thanks Grovesy, i love Leeks, forgot about those!

No problem. I also think homemade stews, soups and casseroles, cooked long and slow are better for it.

 

[ukjohn]

I always make my stews in the slow cooker, I sometimes use Lamb shank or chicken or beef, and I am a lover of Pearl Barley and Butter Beans. Why not try a few small pieces of Sweet Potato or chopped cabbage.

John.

 

[Ljc]

I never use potatoes in a stew, i prefer lamb stew. I use plenty of veg, pearl barely, onions, swede, turnips, celery , carrots, red kidney beans .
I never thought of putting leeks in my stew, their going on my stew shopping list for next week🙂

 

[grovesy]

Just remembered also put celery in to.

 

[Stitch147]

I use pearl barley or small new potatoes. Always do mine in the slow cooker.

 

[grovesy]

I use pearl barley or small new potatoes. Always do mine in the slow cooker.

Pearl barley is in the soup mix I use.

 

[trophywench]

I've had an aversion to pearl barley since childhood since my mama's offerings were 'slimy' things in a watery stew - much like the way she cooked macaroni - Yee-ukkkk. I've re-established al dente macaroni occasionally, but never been tempted to even try pearl barley since I left home in 1971 !

Love leeks in stew (well I like em as ordinary veg - just slice and microwave for a minute or two with a knob or two of butter, delish) but never put spuds in it at all - if they're wanted, they are boiled up separately as appropriate for their type. I like red lentils with a lamb stew, but as Pete can't bear lamb (even hates the smell of it cooking even on a BBQ outside) we simply don't have lentils full stop!

I do bung literally any other veg that happens to be around in there though. Lovely! Beef 'skirt' is my fave stew meat, lots of connective tissue so it cooks and is succulent.

 

[weecee]

I find celeriac quite good as it bulks things up and gives good flavour too.

 

[KookyCat]

I tend to use loads of veg plus a couple of tins of beans (kidney or haricot or berlotti are my faves) or a tin of beans and some chickpeas. Both add bulk and flavour, loads of fibre (watch out for the fibre tunnelling out, if you catch my drift 😉), some nice minerals and a bit of colour. Chickpeas add a slightly nuttier flavour and I find they go well with fish or white meat stews, for red meat I'd go with beans. I'm not a fan of lentils in stews, they make it a bit too sludgy for my taste 🙂

 

[Mark Parrott]

No need for potatoes in a stew. To my tastebuds they add nothing flavour wise. Adding celeriac, turnip & swede bulks it out lovely.

 

[Deleted member 16779]

There's a very nice vegetable stew called 'Caponata' which is a firm favourite in our family, it's also good cold as a salad too. It's mostly aubergines and tomato, with olives and toasted pine nuts to garnish.

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2220689/caponata

(we tend to leave out the raisins though).

 

[Ljc]

There's a very nice vegetable stew called 'Caponata' which is a firm favourite in our family, it's also good cold as a salad too. It's mostly aubergines and tomato, with olives and toasted pine nuts to garnish.

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2220689/caponata

(we tend to leave out the raisins though).

When I started reading this I though oh good I will try this then sadly , no as I don't like aubergines that much and as for olives . But it has given me some ideas, Thanks

 

[ianbilly]

Well, the casserole was awesome, even had seconds!! Put Leeks, Onion, Swede, Carrot & Lentils in it along with Heck High Meat Sausages and served with Broccoli, Cauliflower & Green Beans. Will definitely be having that again.

 

[Mark Parrott]

I made a sausage, bacon & liver casserole for last night. Absolutely gorgeous, it was. Had loads left over so having the rest tonight. Just added a couple more sausages.

 

[ianbilly]

I made a sausage, bacon & liver casserole for last night. Absolutely gorgeous, it was. Had loads left over so having the rest tonight. Just added a couple more sausages.

Not had Liver for ages, i'm the only one that likes it in our house.