Top 5 Beef Stews!

It's winter in the Southern Hemisphere and stew season is in full swing - think slow‑simmered, delicious beef that warms you from the inside out. I've rounded up five of my favourite beef stews, from Taiwan and Vietnam to Italy, England and Mexico, to see you through the chilly nights.

1 - Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup

This is a spicy noodle soup called red braised beef noodle soup or Sichuan beef noodle soup and will warm you up from the inside. Tender chunks of beef are braised with a range of aromatic spices and served with wheat noodles. It's what a lot of homesick Taiwanese students turn to when they want a taste of home which gives you an indication of how comforting it is.

2 - Bo Kho Vietnamese Beef Stew

I LOVE this beef stew a lot! So much so that I'm hoping you'll all give this a go. This is pho's richer and more intense cousin with a wonderfully silky texture to it thanks to some wonderful, unsung cuts of beef.

3 - Ossobuco With Polenta

We cross over to Italy to a classic braised stew with Ossobuco. You can use either veal shins or beef shins and the flavour gets better with age so make a double batch and freeze it for an easy dinner!

4 - Beef and Beer Stew With Cheese Dumplings

This is an oldie but such a goodie and I promised readers that anyone that made this would get proposals of marriage it's that good. The beef is so tender and saucy under a layer of cheese dumplings!

5 - Dark Chocolate, Beef and Red Wine Stew

What is better than beef stew? A beef stew with dark chocolate and red wine! There's a method to my madness I promise and this is perfect rainy day weather food.

So tell me Dear Reader, which beef stew do you like the sound of the best?