Beef Stew Crocker

This is so far my favorite beef stew recipe. It is easy to just toss everything in a crock and let it cook for 8 hours. I love my new crock pot!

So, it's best to brown the meat first, but not necessary. I put mine in a sizzling hot cast iron skillet with a small bit of olive oil until the meat is dark (but not burnt) on all sides. It will splatter so watch out and use a splatter shield if you have one, I used a lid to avoid the little hot splatters.

Ingredients:

• One or two pounds of steak, cut into one inch pieces
• several large carrots, unpeeled. I used about 5 cut on the bias
• One pound of small red potatos, quartered. OR one pound of any potato in one inch pieces
• 4 stalks celery cut into half inch slices
• 1/4 to 1/2 Cup large sliced sweet onion
  
• 8 ounces of mushrooms, whole (okay to omit)
• 1 - 6 oz can of tomato paste (necessary)
• 1 - 12 oz can of whole peeled tomatos (san marzano if you can get them)
  
• 3/4 Cup beef or chicken broth (not the concentrated cubes if possible)
• 1/3 Cup red wine (I like cabernet)
• 1/4 Cup all-purpose flour
• 2 minced garlic cloves (I put in 4 whole cloves sometimes)
• Dried spices including, dill, basil, thyme, marjoram, cilantro, sage, oregano....be generous!
  
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• salt optional

So, basically, stick all that in a pot let it simmer for an hour, stir it so that it is all in liquid and let it simmer for 7 more hours.

It is soooo good, and makes several servings so you don't have to cook every night. It's even better on the second day.