Why it works: Onion and pepper are a kitchen classic. They rank in the top 11% of all ingredient pairs, and cooks put them together in 68,474 recipes. Both carry 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine, which smells earthy, pea. The science ↓
A Good Family Stew of Mutton
Ingredients
Directions
Prepare
Put a flat layer of mutton chops or cutlets into a broad stewpan or saucepan, freed from fat and bone, divided into suitable size bits, then dip into cold water, season with pepper, and lightly dredge with flour.
On these, put a layer of mild turnips sliced half an inch thick, cut into squares.
Add a layer of carrots of the same thickness, seasoning with salt and black pepper between them.
Add another layer of mutton.
Stew
Add plenty of vegetables (including celery if added, or other optional vegetables).
Add enough weak broth or cold water to barely cover the whole.
Bring to a slow boil, then let simmer for 2–3 hours according to quantity.
Optional additions and variations
Optionally, stir in one or two minced onions between the vegetables when desired.
Optionally, brown the meat in a little butter before stewing, and fry the vegetables lightly before adding.
Optionally, add a head or two of celery for flavor.
In summer, substitute cucumber, green onions, shredded lettuce, and green peas for winter vegetables.
Nutrition, whole recipe (rough)
Counts 4 of 5 ingredients. The other 1 aren't in our nutrition table and add nothing above, so the real totals are higher.
What these numbers assume: 4 portions
| Ingredient | Portion assumed | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetable | 1 tbsp (14g) | 120 |
| Onion | 1 medium (110g) | 44 |
| Black Pepper | 1 tsp ground (2.3g) | 6 |
| Salt | 1 tsp (6g) | 0 |
| Water | not in our table | 0 |
One typical portion per ingredient; the recipe's quantities are not counted. A rough guide only, not for medical or dietary planning.
Transcribed from a scanned cookbook and modernised for today's kitchens. Where the book gave no heat or time, or said "a moderate oven", the temperatures and times here may be modern equivalents rather than the book's own figures. See the original page.
Explore the science
The flavor team
The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.
-
Onion + peppertop 11% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together68,474 recipes
Shared aroma: 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine (earthy, pea).
Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs
What each ingredient does
- Mutton (in the method)
- Provides the main meat, which becomes tender during long, slow simmering.
- Turnips (in the method)
- Add mild sweetness and body as they soften in the stew liquid.
- Carrots (in the method)
- Contribute natural sweetness and a firmer texture that holds up to long simmering.
- Flour (in the method)
- Lightly dredged on the meat, it helps thicken the cooking liquid and coat the pieces.
The step that matters
Bring to a slow boil, then simmer gently. A rolling boil toughens meat proteins and breaks up vegetables, while a slow simmer lets collagen convert to gelatin for tender meat and a clear, well-flavoured broth.
“What each ingredient does” and “The step that matters” were written by Claude from this recipe’s own method and reviewed in samples by CompKitchen.
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