To Sear or Not to Sear
I'm throwing together a crock pot stew, usually I sear the meat before hand for anything and everything. But some don't - do you think in something like a crock pot stew it would really make a difference. (my beef is just thawing, and I didn't want to sear in the morning - lazy I know! ).
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11 Comments:
Sear! Always sear if you want any depth of flavor in your stew!
derosa at 7:16PM on 04/14/09
Yes, please sear. Otherwise it will just taste like boring boiled meat.
misskris15 at 7:25PM on 04/14/09
Yes, always sear!
bitchincamero at 7:38PM on 04/14/09
Sear away!
arm1970 at 7:47PM on 04/14/09
i don't sear for the crock pot. and it never ever tastes like boiled meat. i like it much better this way.
dearrie at 8:00PM on 04/14/09
I like the carmelized depth of flavor that searing brings to a dish. Sear away!
dhorst at 8:27PM on 04/14/09
Your stew should still be tasty if you stick with the lazy no-sear method. If it's a recipe you've made before, it could taste a little different than you're used to if you always seared it before. The only thing I never put in raw is any sort of ground meat. You could always sear it the night before, pop it in the fridge and then toss it all in in the morning too.
joyyy at 8:39PM on 04/14/09
Thanks everyone. I figured the consensus would be to Sear - ALWAYS SEAR... Yup, I know - DARN. I may still go the lazy route (not to say you non-searers are lazy!) and if I do I guess I will find out the difference as I always do sear sooo.
I love this site!
mrstkach at 9:54PM on 04/14/09
Check out any of Harold McGee's books. He speaks very eloquently about searing and the fact that though it doesn't "seal in the juices", it does contribute a depth of flavor and a fond (that brown stuff at the bottom of the pan) that should be deglazed with wine, stock or even water and added to your stew. There is a lot of natural flavor in the fond and to not utilize it would be a real waste of flavor.
wazup1999 at 12:05PM on 04/15/09
Sear
bessfour at 4:50PM on 04/15/09
Time dictates whether or not I sear meat before a crock pot stew. Searing always improves the flavor but sometimes I lack time and just fling everything into the crock for a long slow simmer.
They have a new crock pot out that lets you sear the meat right in the crock pot liner on the stove, then transfer the whole liner back to the crock. If I ever need another crock, I'll be looking into this type.
therealchiffonade at 9:47PM on 04/15/09