Crockpot Traditional Beef Stew

 
As the temperatures drop in our neck of the woods, I find myself craving thick, hearty meals like a Traditional Beef Stew*. This tasty crock pot dish serves 4-6 people and is full of flavor and nutrients; V8 juice is the heart of the broth.

This recipe is the perfect solution for the "I don't feel like cooking, but want a nice meal to come home to" dilemma. Besides, it gives you a reason to make some tasty biscuits to go along with it!

Traditional Beef Stew

INGREDIENTS:

*     2 tablespoons flour
*     1 lb of stew meat, cut into small pieces
*     1 tablespoons olive oil
*     2 1/2 cups red potatoes cut into small chunks
*     3 cups mixed frozen vegetables
*     1/4 of one red onion, diced
*     1 beef bouillon cube
*     2 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
*     1 teaspoon oregano
*     1 teaspoon basil
*     1/4 teaspoon pepper
*     1/4 teaspoon salt
*     2 bay leaves
*     4, 5.5 oz cans of V8 juice
*     1/4 bag of egg noodles**

**If your kids are just going to be eating the "egg noodle special", then make a 1/2 bag of egg noodles.

DIRECTIONS:

Step 1: Cut meat into small pieces and place in the ziploc bag with flour. Seal the bag and shake until meat is covered with flour.

 
Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet, or Dutch oven. Brown the meat on all sides, but do not cook through. Remove from pan and place into slow cooker.

 
Step 3: In a 3 1/2 – 4 quart slow cooker, layer meat, potatoes, mixed vegetables and onion.

 
Step 4: Add bouillon cube, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, basil, pepper, salt and bay leaves. Pour V8 over all of it. Toss to coat evenly. 

 
Step 5: Cover and cook over low heat for 6 hrs until meat and vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaves before serving.

 
Step 6: Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and add to stew right before serving. (If your kids won't eat stew meat, serve them the "egg noodle special" – egg noodles covered in all the good stuff sans the meat.)

 
*The original recipe can be found in the Better Homes & Gardens Biggest Book of Slow Cooker Recipes. I was unable to find a link to the original recipe on the Better Homes & Gardens web site. The recipe above has been modified to suit my tastes.

Happy Reading!
Denine

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