Dave's Beef Stew

On a cold day there isn't anything better then a bowl of hot stew.   I don't know about you but all of us in my  home feel like hibernating  these days. It is so grey and soggy outside.  So lets say GOOD-BYE to February
and hello to sunny days and spring weather in March.

Canning stew is a common accurance for Dave when he heads out for a hunting trip.  When Dave has been out hunting for a day it's nice to come back to camp and open up a jar of his own homemade stew.  

                                                                                                                              Me on the other hand I like being at home. I am just not that adventurous  as he is. I like the comforts of home.

                 We decided to use our super sized crock pot and cook the stew on low.


RECIPE

1 pound of lean stew meat ( cut into bit size pieces)

4 large carrots

3 stalks of celery

1 large onion or one small bag of pearl onion

2 large potatoes

1 bag of peas

3 cloves of garlic

I bay leaf

1/4 c kitchen bouquet  ( you can find in your local grocery store)

3 cup of organic beef stock

Salt and pepper

1T olive oil

2 T flour

2 T cold water

Start by cooking your beef, onions, kitchen bouquet  in a skillet. Adding  2 strips of bacon would add some great flavor, we didn't use any because we were out.  Cook the meat until its brown...about 10 minutes.

Put the beef ,beef stock, garlic, onions, carrots, peas, celery, bay leaf, salt and pepper into your slow cooker.

In the same skillet, add 1T olive oil, cut your potatoes into bit size piece and cook until they are brown on both sides. Then add to your pot of stew.

Cover and cook 7-9 hours.

To finish it off...take 2T of flower and mix with 2T water and add to your stew for thickness..

What is your favorite soup in the winter month???

Enjoy Dave & Susan