and Worcestershire sauce. These additional elements give the stew a tangy, umami twist that balances out the heady beef.

I’ll be honest with you; I have no idea if the following recipe is any good. I haven’t made it. For the past however long I’ve been writing this column, I’ve at least attempted to create the recipes I ...

Add the tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce and crumbled beef stock cube ... let it bubble away for an extra hour instead. Once that rich beef stew is ready, sprinkle over some picked thyme leaves.

For the coldest wintry evenings, tuck into a rich beef stew with fluffy dumplings ... Stir in the wine, stock and herbs, then add the Worcestershire sauce and balsamic vinegar, to taste.

Gently simmer until liquid reduces slightly, 5 minutes. Add the beef stock, water, Worcestershire, dates and browned beef. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until meat is tender, about 1½ hours.

Mary Berry's beef stew is smart enough to serve for a dinner ... If you want to thicken the sauce further, mix one tablespoon of plain flour with 2-3 tablespoons of cold water to make a thin ...

The coldest months of the year are a great time to come home to a hot and nutritious beef stew. For today's heart ... oregano, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.