How to Make a Crock Pot Stew

Crock pots are a blessing to anyone who has no time to spend in the kitchen. Stew on the stove is usually something you have to at least pay attention to once in a while during cooking. This way you put it all in the morning and come home to dinner. There are frozen already made stews at the store but this homemade stew has your loving touch and your family will know it. This recipe serves 6.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 lb. Stew meat or 1 lb round steak cut into cubes
• 1/4 c. flour
• 1 16 oz can whole tomatoes
• 2 lg russet potatoes
• 2 c. baby carrots
• 1 medium vidalia onion
• 1 T. oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 T. basil
• salt and pepper to taste
• crock pot
• medium fry pan

1. Turn on the crock pot to medium setting. The crock pot is a 4 1/2 quart size. In a bowl, coat the meat with the flour. This will help thicken the juices.

2. In the frying pay, pour about 2 T. vegetable oil. Brown the meat on all sides. You do not have to cook it until done at this time. Put into the heated crock pot.

3. Pour the tomatoes over the meat, crushing them in your hands. Add all the juice. Also fill the can with water and add this.

4. Peal the potatoes and cut into bite size pieces. put into the pot along with the carrots. 2 cups of carrots is only an arbitrary amount. Put in as many as you like.

5. Slice the onion and add to the pot.

6. Add the bay leaf and the herbs. Add about a T. of salt at this time and the pepper.

7. Now step back and let it cook covered on medium for 8-12 hours. When you come home from work, taste to see if it has enough salt. Potatoes tend to absorb the salt so more might be needed.

8. Serve it with homemade biscuits and everyone will enjoy it.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to serve this sooner than 8 hours, crank up the heat to high for 4-6 hours.
• Fresh herbs can be used but you will need more of them. The dry have a more concentrated flavor.
• Other vegetables can be added but this is up to you.
• Never put hot food into a cold crock pot or cold into a hot pot.