Vegetable Beef Stew

A good basic stew with great texture and tomato base. Add more spices to your desire.

Put large ziplock bag and shake:

1-2 Pounds stew meat cubed

1/4 flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 tbls minced garlic

Add to pan over med/high heat with 3 tbls olive oil.

Brown evenly on both sides of meat.

Remove from pan and place in crock pot.

In same pan add:

3 cups diced onion

1/2 cup apple juice or cider

Until onion is tender.

Pour into crock pot and scrap pan (making sure to get the brown chunks into the crockpot too!)

Add to crockpot:

1 bay leaf

3 cups chopped celery

5 large chopped potatoes

3 large diced tomatoes (or 2 cans diced tomatoes with juices)

1- 12 oz can of tomato or spaghetti sauce

1 cup fresh or frozen peas

2 cups fresh largely chunked carrots

1 cup fresh or frozen corn

Mix in separate bowl:

1 cups hot hot water

1/4 cup mushroom soup mix (you can also use 1/2 can cream of mushroom soup)

1/4 cup onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp black pepper

1 tbls italian seasoning

Pour into crockpot.

Turn on high for 30 minutes and then reduce to low for 6 hours.

Enjoy!