Thursday 9 October 2014

Warm and Cosy

There is nothing more satisfying than sitting in front of a blazing stove, warm and cosy with a book or some crochet. 
The only thing that betters that, is to pop a pan of stew on top and let it simmer away to its hearts content.  A truly wonderful experience for both body and soul, particularly when you are sharing it with those that you love.

I thought I would share my stew recipe today and give you some warmth on these cold and blustery days, or perhaps save it for when the real cold weather starts.
 
I use stewing beef cubed,
         2 onions,
         4 leeks,
         4 carrots,
         3 parsnips,
          half swede,
         1 turnip,
         2 large potatoes    all  peeled chopped and cubed and placed in the pan.  Cover the meat in a little flour and brown in a pan then add to the  pan of vegetables and let it all simmer for a couple of hours.  Add some stock cubes or gravy granules for flavour and to thicken a little and simmer for a further 20 minutes serve piping hot with warm crusty bread.  Of course season to taste, or add some herbs, I used black pepper today.

Delicious and filling, what's your go to favourite meal for the cold weather?  I love cooking stews on top of the stove, it reminds of days gone by and of course it is saving me money on the electric as I am not using the cooker, its a win, win situation.
 
See you soon.
        



21 comments:

  1. sadly our house does not have a fire place, or stove in it. My husband would love to put one in, but we haven't agreed where! Love the idea of a stew simmering on the stove :) Your house looks so cozy!

    ReplyDelete
  2. My sitting room is too tiny for a stove but I really want one now. Just like your stove with a pot of stew on top!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You are right ! Nothing like a stove, a good stew and company for a cosy day !
    Have a great day !
    Anna

    ReplyDelete
  4. We have always had an open fire but as we get older its a job to get down to clean it and it does cause a lot of dust, so we have resorted to an artificial log burner, looks cosy but no mess. Still not the same though...
    Briony
    x

    ReplyDelete
  5. I agree whole heartily, I love my stove, it always feels calm in my little abode once it is lit.
    I bet your room smells gorgeous with the stew simmering away.
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Helen

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your stew sounds scrumptious. I fear it wouldn't taste as good cooked in my oven. I think the wood stove imparts something special to it that I couldn't replicate. Sigh... I really miss having wood heat.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have had a wood burning stove for as long as I can remember :) There have been many times when the power goes out during the Winter and we've used the stove to cook on.

    Your stew looks and sounds wonderful! Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  8. That sounds like so much fun....cozy fire with a pot of yummy stew cooking on the top. Dreamy! So cozy! I love it! That stew looks delicious too!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Mama, it's the same thing : the stew!
    Have a nice evening!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a warm cozy post! Heat from a wood stove is the nicest, it's such a different kind of heat from furnaces or electric heat. It just warms you through and through. Your stew looks delish!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good Morning Dear,
    you are so right. I love fire places and stovens! Nothing better than they are!
    All my best from Austria and a wonderful time
    Elisabeth

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love your log burner , they are so practical and free cooking of your stew , i did a stew yesterday unfortunately because my husband does not like parsnips , turnips or swede its a little less interesting but i tip in some frozen mixed veg for colour and extra flavour about 30 mins before its cooked xxx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi! What a lovely cosy house you got!!! :) It must be great to cook like that! Thanks for sharing!
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    Ingrid xx
    http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be/

    ReplyDelete
  14. I ha a stew yesterday! Almost the same recipe. Cooked in a slow cooker though, I have an open fire and cant leave it unattended like the log burners. Food for thought. Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  15. If only I had a wonderful stove like yours I would love to be able to cook things on it! So good that you made extra use of the lovely warmth and heat from the fire! xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. How I would LOVE to sit in front of your stove, watch the fire, and have a bowl of stew and that crusty bread! What a warm cozy evening!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh so yummy and cozy!!! The perfect way to spend part of your day!!! I have a pot of chicken and dumpling soup simmering on the stove but it's a little too warm here for a fire still. I'm hoping the crisp weather is here to stay soon!! Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!! xo

    ~ Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love our wood-burning insert. You're right, nothing better. Your stew sounds delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  19. A beautiful fire, and no doubt it's the heart of the home, especially when there's a delicious stew bubbling away on top. I wouldn't ever want to go out!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh, so yummy and cosy! I'd love to pop over for a ladle of goodness and a chat in front of your fireplace ;-)
    Lena x

    ReplyDelete
  21. I have loved making stew this way when we have had a wood stove and am so glad you can enjoy doing so now, Mama! It is so wonderfully cozy :-)

    ReplyDelete