This was a huge hit! Be sure to plan ahead and make it the day before, it is immensely better that way. If gravy is too thin, mash up a few of the potato pieces and stir them into the gravy -- it will thicken up nicely and taste great. I served with corn muffins and rosemary focaccia bread. Several guests put a slice of the bread at the bottom of their bowl and ladled the stew on top of it. This was a great way to sop up the gravy! I used wine as in the original recipe, and wow. We had dinner for ten, and 4 were from the UK and they said this stew was really authentic (and delicious). One hinted strongly for a doggie bag, so I gave him some leftovers!) I added 2 small packages of whole pearl mushrooms. Button mushrooms would also work -- again, I would add them whole. My butcher did not have shoulder, so he cut cubes from a boneless leg, worked great. I used slightly less meat, slightly more veggies, and just over half the bacon. Awesome!

Reviewed On: Oct. 25, 2009

Fantastic and easy! I doubled the fruit over all, proportions were: 1/2 peaches 1/4 raspberries and 1/4 blackberries. It was a huge hit, even my father-in-law asked for seconds and he is picky about his cobblers! As others suggested, I used half brown sugar and half white. Added 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp nutmeg. Also stirred the fruit in 1 tsp lemon juice and 1 tsp sugar before adding, but I'm sure this is optional. For those who got a mushy bottom, I believe it simply was not baked long enough. I let it bake longer than instructed, and pressed my finger in the cake part in the center to make sure it was firm. This is a winner!

Reviewed On: Sep. 21, 2009

I am sorry to pan this recipe, but it was disappointing. Unfortunately, the first time I made it I served it for guests as part of a Mexican themed dinner, where I was looking for a seafood appetizer. I followed suggestions to marinade it for only one hour, and I increased the cumin and added garlic as some suggested. The flavor was okay, but the texture was not good at all. It was tough and kind of spongy. I would not make this again.

Reviewed On: Sep. 18, 2009