Ginger Pot Roast Made Into Stew Demonstrated at Le Creuset

Thanks to everyone who came by and chatted about comfort food at Le Creuset in Leesburg yesterday!

The ginger pot roast from Exceptional Comfort: The Recipes was demonstrated yesterday with a new twist.  We made it a stew!  Instead of roasting in the oven, it was cooked on the stove top.  Keep in mind that you can change how you cook many pot roasts this way.  This can save the day if you need your oven for a pie, cake, or other dish at the same time.

 Here is how to turn your favorite pot roast into stew.

Simply cut the uncooked roast (beef chuck roast) into pieces as if for a stew.  Brown them in a heavy Dutch oven with a little cooking oil, and add the other flavorings and vegetables from the recipe you are using.  Make sure there is enough liquid to reach about three quarters up the meat.  You may add chicken broth, beef broth, red wine, or water to reach this point.  Bring to a simmer on medium high heat, lower temperature to barely a simmer and cover.  Cook for one hour, stirring occasionally, keeping the stew very lightly bubbling.  The pieces should be very, very tender when done.  Timing depends on how big they are.

Here is a detailed thickening explanation:
To thicken your stew, mix approximately 1 Tablespoon cornstarch and 1 Tablespoon cold water for every cup of liquid you have.  So, you may either take out the meat and vegetables and measure the liquid or guess (like I do).  You can always use more thickening if needed.  Start with 3 Tablespoons cornstarch and 3 Tablespoons cold water if you are not sure (for a 3 cup guess).  Mix with a fork or spoon in a measuring cup.  Spoon some of the meat to one side, turn off the heat, and slowly add the cornstarch mixture to the liquid side of the pot, stirring quickly with a spoon or whisk to incorporate.  If it thickens up before all the cornstarch is in, stop adding it.  Bring to a simmer and stir the whole pot now a few minutes to cook the cornstarch. It will thicken in a minute or two if you used enough.  If not, make some more cornstarch and water mixture and repeat until you get to your desired gravy.  Depending on the recipe's flavors, you may use red wine or soy sauce instead of water to mix with the cornstarch.  This adds even more flavor to you gravy.


Make a final seasoning adjustment with salt and pepper and you are done!