Funny about beef stock cubes, many people use them, and like them. Personally I can't stand them, and the only "ready made" item of that ilk that is in my store cupboard, is Marigold, which is a Swiss vegetable bouillon powder. I use this sometimes when I make soups, but as I start off all soups with fried onions, then we're back to my onion gravy. Which I season with salt and pepper to taste, in case you were wondering ;)