Great topic for this board
I think for flavor was second my favorite after American style canned/pouch Spaghetti meat balls
For the Record I am an American, but I think on the subject of 'classic' Beef Stew. I hope I speak for many Canadians, British and other former commonwealth service members and civillian outdoors-men from all over the world.
If I do not I apologize in advance..
Now as to why it is a popular entree in my opinion. With Beef stew you get a combination of very filling high calorie main course that has chunks of beef (varying quality) starchy filling potatoes in large quantity, carrots, onions and sometimes peas.
The core of it's flavor lies in the thick beef gravy, that alone made many troops scrape the both can s and pouches to get the last bit gravy.
from late 1920's to mid 1930's canned versions of this entree were sold in the USA, Canada, and Great Britain known as Irish Stew made by Heinz, Hormel and other makers. It had different names, Beef Stew, Beef Hash, Meat and Vegetables but it was basically the same meal. Anybody that bought a can knew what they would get and could trust it.
You just needed some bread or crackers and you would be full, or at least feel full for a while.
I the second world war these type of canned meals were incorporated in various rations and monotonous or not at least the troop who drew beef stew felt he could have drawn worse.
Post War Dinty Moore achieved popularity in the USA a a quick wholesome (
for canned ) meal that both Husbands and Children would be happy to eat as long as Bread, rolls or biscuits were present.
As a father who at one time was married to a flight attendant. I a made Dinty Moore Beef Stew with hot bread for our two sons and they enjoyed it every time. My dad (single father) made it for me and my brother in the early 1970's and we liked it for the same reasons. We always knew what it would taste like and the gravy was good. When I entered the service in 1979, the MCI menus were all over the board. Ham slices Chicken Slices, Beef and Potatoes. Ham and Eggs Chopped. To people who grew up in the 60's and 70's you never knew what those entrees would taste like. But BEEF STEW ok it tasted like Dinty Moore and it would be good. On a similar note the American MCI Spaghetti tasted like Chef Boyardee (American Favorite) so with the Beef Stew you always knew exactly how it would taste. No surprises all good.
For Camping, Canoe or boating trips and Hunting I can say as an American you would bring Beef Stew in a can as a fool proof meal Summer or Winter. But in Winter Beef stew is what you want.(If you like beef)
So as to why it has remained a military combat ration entree since at least the 1930's is the Quartermaster Corps knows beef stew is a meal that just about all non vegetarian troops will eat and be full.
The transition from cans to pouches seemed to go very smooth. The MRE beef stews seemed to be just the same as the canned entrees i.e. Dinty Moore Beef stew. Some with more Vegetables other with more potatoes and less Carrots and peas.
Still great lunch or dinner with Bread or Crackers. The 1980's MRE Beef stew I ate were great just the portions were to small for me. The 1990's and modern versions seem slightly better. Some I have had seemed to have even more vegetables than before.
Anyway long winded post, but The BEEF STEW meal is worth the effort and time to give it credit.
Now I would like to hear from other board members from different nations to see if they have a version of Beef Stew that is near to the beef potatoes, carrots onions and peas with thick gravy
Other parts of Europe such as Spain Poland Hungary? the Baltic?
North Asia? Russia? Scandinavia? South America?.. Is this type of meal entree issed?
