When it comes to culinary companions, I confess to being quite discerning. My kitchen shelves are adorned with French classics and cherished tomes from world-renowned restaurants, collections that fuel my passion for intricate techniques and gourmet explorations. Yet, I often find myself considering a different audience when recommending cookbooks to friends and family. Their culinary pursuits lean towards simplicity, speed, and the sheer delight of fresh, wholesome ingredients. They seek inspiration that fits seamlessly into their busy lives, free from fuss and overly complicated steps.
It was with this understanding that I approached David Venable’s latest offering from QVC, Back Around the Table: An “In the Kitchen with David” Cookbook from QVC’s Resident Foodie. As the host of QVC’s beloved “In the Kitchen with David®,” Venable has cultivated a reputation for approachable, comforting cuisine, and this cookbook perfectly encapsulates that philosophy. It immediately struck me as the ideal culinary guide for the home cook juggling a demanding schedule, limited time for meal planning, and a desire for delicious, family-friendly meals.
This impressive volume, released in October 2014, is Venable’s second cookbook, building on the success of his previous work. It’s not just a collection of recipes; it’s a celebration of comfort food elevated with David’s signature inventive twists. Inside, you’ll discover over 100 brand-new recipes, meticulously developed to bring joy and ease to your kitchen. Complementing these fresh creations are 30 cherished fan favorites, ensuring there’s something for every palate. Each page is a testament to Venable’s passion, featuring beautiful, inspiring photographs that make every dish irresistible, accompanied by instructions that are refreshingly simple to follow, even for novice cooks.
The Allure of “Back Around the Table”
David Venable has a unique ability to connect with home cooks, making complex culinary concepts feel entirely achievable. His charm and enthusiasm on “In the Kitchen with David®” translate effortlessly into the pages of this cookbook. He understands the modern dilemma: wanting to serve wholesome, delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen. Back Around the Table is more than just a recipe book; it’s a resource designed to empower you to create memorable meals, proving that culinary delight doesn’t require a professional chef’s skill set or an unlimited time budget. It’s about getting creative with everyday ingredients and bringing families together.
What sets this cookbook apart is its profound understanding of diverse dining needs and occasions. It’s organized into practical and inspiring categories, making it incredibly easy to navigate and find exactly what you’re craving. Whether you’re planning a casual get-together or a quick weeknight dinner, the book offers tailored solutions that remove the guesswork from meal preparation. This thoughtful structure ensures that Back Around the Table truly earns its place as an indispensable kitchen companion for any home cook.
A Cookbook for Every Occasion
The book’s intelligently curated sections cater to every conceivable dining scenario, transforming meal planning from a chore into an exciting exploration. Here’s a closer look at the innovative categories that make this cookbook a versatile powerhouse:
- Mix & Mingle: Perfect for entertaining guests, this section is brimming with appetizers, snacks, and delightful bites that are easy to prepare and designed to impress. Think effortless dips, creative finger foods, and crowd-pleasing starters that set the stage for any gathering, big or small.
- Brunch & Beyond: Elevate your weekend mornings or celebratory midday meals with recipes ranging from sweet treats to savory delights. This section covers everything from fluffy pancakes and French toast variations to elegant egg dishes and hearty casseroles, making brunch an event to remember.
- Quick & Easy: For those frantic weeknights when time is of the essence, this chapter is a lifesaver. It features recipes that come together in a flash, proving that fast food can also be fresh and homemade. Expect simple pasta dishes, speedy stir-fries, and clever shortcuts that deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort.
- Light & Bright: Focusing on healthier options without sacrificing taste, this section offers vibrant salads, lean protein dishes, and vegetable-forward meals. It’s ideal for anyone looking for lighter fare that’s still satisfying and packed with fresh flavors, perfect for warmer months or health-conscious eating.
- Smoke & Fire: This exciting category brings the thrill of grilling and barbecue indoors or out. From succulent grilled meats to charred vegetables, these recipes inspire you to harness the power of heat and smoke for bold, unforgettable flavors that are perfect for summer cookouts or cozy winter evenings.
- Sweets & Treats: No meal is complete without a delightful ending, and this section delivers. Indulge in an array of desserts, from classic cookies and cakes to decadent puddings and fruity concoctions. These recipes are designed to satisfy any sweet tooth, offering comforting and celebratory options for all occasions.
This comprehensive organization is what I loved most about Back Around the Table. It’s not just a collection of recipes; it’s a strategic guide for living a more delicious life, providing immediate solutions for any culinary challenge or craving. Each category is a gateway to stress-free cooking and delightful dining experiences.
A Personal Culinary Journey: The Guinness Beef Stew Experience
As I first thumbed through the pages of Back Around the Table, one recipe immediately leaped out at me with an irresistible pull: a sumptuous Irish stew. The description, promising a hearty dish made with rich stout, perfectly aligned with the impending chill of the colder months. It wasn’t just the robust promise of flavor that caught my eye; it was also the apparent simplicity and the clear, inviting photograph that depicted a bowl of pure comfort. I envisioned myself curled up with a warm, comforting bowl, and that vision alone was enough to inspire action.
Checking my pantry, I was pleased to find that most of the ingredients were already at hand – a testament to the cookbook’s emphasis on accessibility. Within a matter of minutes, I had the stew simmering gently in my slow cooker, filling the kitchen with tantalizing aromas that promised a delicious evening ahead. The beauty of a slow cooker meal truly shines when life gets busy, and this recipe exemplifies that convenience. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of setting it and forgetting it, knowing that a flavorful, warming meal awaits at the end of a long day.
And when that cold weather truly settled in, a generous bowl of this comforting beef stew hit all the right notes. The rich, savory broth, tender beef, and hearty vegetables, all infused with the distinctive notes of stout, provided the perfect antidote to the biting chill. It didn’t just warm our bodies; it offered a profound sense of culinary comfort and satisfaction, making it an instant favorite in our household. This experience underscored the very essence of David Venable’s cookbook: delivering unpretentious, incredibly flavorful food that genuinely makes you feel good.
This personal encounter with the Guinness Beef Stew truly epitomizes the strength of Back Around the Table. It perfectly showcases David Venable’s genius for transforming classic comfort food into something approachable yet incredibly satisfying. The recipe’s reliance on readily available ingredients, combined with the hands-off convenience of a slow cooker, makes it an ideal fit for the busy home cook. It’s a dish that feels special and deeply nourishing, yet demands minimal effort, making it a stellar example of the cookbook’s philosophy: bringing joy and deliciousness to the table without unnecessary stress.
Guinness Beef Stew: A Recipe to Warm the Soul
Here’s the celebrated Guinness Beef Stew recipe that delighted my family, straight from the pages of Back Around the Table. It’s a testament to simple ingredients coming together to create profound flavor, perfect for chilly evenings or any time you crave a bowl of pure comfort. This slow-cooked masterpiece is not just a meal; it’s an experience, transforming humble beef and vegetables into a rich, savory symphony.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 1/4 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 1/4 cups beef broth
- 1 14.9-ounce can stout, such as Guinness
- 2 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/4 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 large onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 4 carrots, cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 1 pound russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
Method
1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of the all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon of the Kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the freshly ground black pepper. Add the beef cubes to this mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure each piece is evenly coated. This seasoned flour coating will help to create a beautiful crust on the beef and thicken the stew.
2. Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the beef cubes in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Brown the beef on all sides, a process that should take approximately 5 to 7 minutes per batch. Achieving a good sear is crucial for developing deep flavor in the stew. Once browned, transfer the beef to your slow cooker.
3. To the slow cooker with the browned beef, add the dried thyme, bay leaf, beef broth, the entire can of stout, tomato paste, chopped celery, chopped onion, minced garlic, and the sliced carrots. Stir in the remaining 3/4 teaspoon of salt and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Stir all the ingredients well to ensure the meat is coated and everything is evenly distributed. Cover the slow cooker and cook on the “high” setting for 2 1/2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
4. Once the initial 2 1/2 hours of cooking have passed, carefully remove the lid. Add the 1 pound of peeled and cut russet potatoes to the slow cooker, gently stirring them into the stew. Re-cover and continue to cook on high for an additional 1 1/2 hours, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the beef is incredibly tender. This staggered addition ensures the potatoes don’t become mushy.
5. When the cooking time is complete, remove 2 cups of the rich stewing liquid from the slow cooker and set it aside. This liquid will be used to create a luscious thickening agent for the stew, giving it that perfect, comforting consistency.
6. In a small saucepan, melt the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and bubbly, whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Cook, whisking constantly, for about 1 minute. This creates a roux, which will serve as our thickening base. Slowly whisk in the 2 cups of reserved stew sauce from the slow cooker. Bring to a gentle simmer, continuing to whisk occasionally, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. This step enhances the richness and body of the stew.
7. Pour the thickened sauce back into the slow cooker with the beef and vegetables. Stir everything thoroughly to ensure the sauce is evenly incorporated throughout the stew. Ladle the hot, fragrant Guinness Beef Stew into individual bowls and serve immediately, perhaps with a crusty piece of bread to soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce. Enjoy this hearty and soul-warming meal!
The Perfect Gift for the Modern Home Cook
If you’re searching for that elusive perfect gift for a dedicated foodie or anyone who appreciates good, honest cooking, David Venable’s Back Around the Table is truly an ideal choice this holiday season, or for any occasion. It transcends the typical cookbook; it’s an invitation to simplify mealtime, rediscover the joy of cooking, and, most importantly, bring loved ones together. Its blend of traditional comfort with modern ease makes it universally appealing, ensuring that anyone who receives it will find endless inspiration within its pages.
Beyond the recipes, this cookbook offers a philosophy of joyful eating and stress-free preparation. It’s a thoughtful present that acknowledges the demands of contemporary life while celebrating the timeless pleasure of a home-cooked meal. Giving Back Around the Table is like gifting time back to someone – time saved on meal planning, time spent savoring delicious food, and time cherished with family gathered once again, well, back around the table.
Get Your Copy of “Back Around the Table” Today!
If the idea of delicious, fuss-free meals like this incredible Guinness Beef Stew resonates with you, then I wholeheartedly encourage you to explore more about David Venable’s cookbook. Visit qvc.co/AroundtheTableCookbook to discover more about Back Around the Table: An “In the Kitchen with David” Cookbook and to purchase your copy today. With a grand total of 156 wonderful recipes, each designed with simplicity and flavor in mind, you are absolutely guaranteed to find an abundance of dishes that not only fit seamlessly into your lifestyle but also effortlessly gather everyone you love “back around the table” for memorable moments and delightful meals.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of QVC. The opinions and text are all mine.