Reviewed: Jan. 13, 2012

I too thought this was really bland. I added an Onion soup packet and that really brought out the flavors! It was awesome then!

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Reviewer:

taflambas

Reviewed: Dec. 9, 2011

Great flavor! I can't wait to try this again with more veggies and experiment with the red wine possibilities was well.

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Reviewer:

KayNicole

Reviewed: Nov. 28, 2011

I followed the recipe precisely, except that I accidentally put in carrots (what, no carrots in this recipe?), about a cup chopped. I also doubled the liquid because it seemed like there wasn't nearly enough liquid for the vegetable to cook (perhaps I simmered it too long before adding the veggies). I used low sodium broth, because as it reduces, it can get pretty salty otherwise. I used the pre-cut/trimmed lamb shoulder, which totally made this stew. I'm sure it would be good with beef, too, but lamb makes it something special instead of just a beef stew. The lamb was so tender that it seemed to just melt in your mouth. Next time I may add some chopped fresh rosemary, too. This is delicious, and alongside a rustic, crusty bread and a good salad, this is worthy of company. To save time, see if your grocery store carries pre-cut butternut squash. In season, our store has it, and it's worth the extra $ because cutting and peeling raw butternut squash is a you-know-what.

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Reviewer:

Ashley

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Washington, D.C., USA

Living In: Austin, Texas, USA

Reviewed: Nov. 14, 2011

My husband does not care for sweet vegetables, but I decided to give this recipe a try because I had a big butternut squash I needed to use up. After reading other reviews which suggested different root vegetables could be used, I replaced sweet potatoes with yukon gold potatoes, and replaced parsnips with turnip. I also doubled the recipe. Did not turn out well! Had to add a lot more liquid (3 extra cups) to cover the vegetables. When I added the sour cream/flour mixture, it created lumps in the broth, even though I added diluted it with broth as instructed. Had to use a straining spoon to pick out the meat and larger pieces of vegetable and then poured the broth through a strainer to get out the lumps. Veggies had overcooked and broken down, so ended up straining some of them out as well. Would not make this one again.

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Reviewer:

ukicutie

Reviewed: Nov. 4, 2011

What a great stew to make. The kids ate all of it. Dipped hard crusted dense bread into it an it was yummy. There was this slight bitter taste which I'm thinking may have been the wine used, next time I'll try a different one. Kids didn't even know I used lamb until after the compliments went around the table. Will definitely try again.

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Reviewer:

SoCalMarisa

Cooking Level: Expert

Reviewed: Mar. 13, 2011

I absolutely love this stew! I had to use beef instead of lamb because of what was available, but followed everything else to exactly, except for adding a little fresh dill. As others have mentioned, some of the butternut squash breaks down to create an even richer broth, which is lovely, but the texture of the other ingredients and the balance between sweet and savory overall is what has got me hooked. The way your kitchen smells while it's bubbling is a serious bonus as well -- the kind of left-overs I will happily live off of!

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Reviewer:

Stephanie Smith

Reviewed: Feb. 26, 2011

Good, sweet-flavored stew

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Reviewer:

Katherine Wilson

Reviewed: Feb. 17, 2011

A very good winter stew for a Canadian February night. Here are vegetable proportions by the veggie, not by the cup, for ease of shopping and chopping: 1 small butternut squash, 2 medium parsnips; one medium sweet potato, and 2 large stalks celery.

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Reviewer:

emarika

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Living In: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Reviewed: Feb. 2, 2011

This stew taste a little sweet, but absolutly love it.

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Reviewer:

MAX8144

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: South Burlington, Vermont, USA

Living In: Ashburn, Virginia, USA

Reviewed: Jan. 23, 2011

I made this a day ahead for a casual dinner party, doubled recipe. I dredged the meat (plus bones) in flour, s&p before searing. Removed meat, reserved remaining fat, deglazed with 1/2 c. red wine. Sauteed onion, parsnips celery and herbs in reserved fat, adding garlic for last 2 minutes. When veggies were tender,returned meat, bones and any juices to pot. Added 4 c. broth, 3 c. wine and boil to cook off alcohol. Added squash, omitted sweet potatoes, doubled white potatoes. Brought to boil, simmered @ 1 1/2 hrs. Served it the next evening -- no leftovers. Didn't need any extra flour or sour cream. Yum. This is a pretty rich, slightly sweet stew. Glad I left out the sweet potatoes! Served arugula, endive and radicchio salad with lemon/olive oil dressing and crusty bread. A keeper!

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