hi raine, have you tried juniper berries, makes a tasty gravy, remove when cooked or blend them into the stew, i change it to add whatever veg/herbs i want really, depends what mood i'm in, throw allsorts in, used red wine, guinness,malty beer,sometimes add spuds. planning on making a nice steak and mushroom pie tomorrow for tea. not bad for a veggie eh! everybody else enjoys it though and i like cooking for them