Beef Stew - Our way

One of my favorite "stick to your ribs" comfort food is beef stew and good, warm bread for dipping. I have tried many recipes and melded a few together to make Our Beef Stew.

Our Favorite (Crock Pot) Beef Stew

Ingredients:

• 1-2 pounds stew meat (I like organic angus beef)
• 1 cup flour
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced 
• 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
• 1 cup dry wine (I used a Cab-Merlot blend)
• 2 large baking potatoes cut into 2 inch pieces (small red potatoes would be nice too)
• 1-2 cups baby carrots
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 can diced tomato with juice
• 1 TB salt
• 1 tsp thyme leaves
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1 tsp ground pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup each frozen green beans and peas

Steps:

1. In a large skillet heat a few tablespoons of the olive oil. Meanwhile add the beef and flour into a plastic bag and turn to coat. 
2. Brown the meat, in small batches. When browned place beef into crock pot cooker. 
3. Add a few more tablespoons oil and add onions. Cook over medium heat until tender (about 8-10 minutes). When tender add tomato paste and garlic and coat the onion. Add to the crock pot. 
4. Pour the wine (carefully, it will splatter) into the pan and scrape up any brown bits that have clung to the pan. Add that to the cooker. 
5. Add the potatoes, carrot, broth, diced tomato, seasonings and frozen veggies. 
6. Cover and cook on high 4 hours or low 7-9 hours. 

* I serve this with bread slathered in vegan butter. When you dip the buttered bread into the broth it enhances the broth and the bread!

** Sorry for so few pictures. The migraine headache was keeping me from thinking straight! ;D