How to make a hearty beef stew

The winter months are officially upon us and there is nothing more warming and delicious than a nice thick beef stew. This is my grandmother's recipe and I haven't strayed once. I'll never forget the first time I had it and begging my mom to make it for me practically ever week during the wintertime. Enjoy!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Skillet
• Large pot
• Ingredients:
• 2 lb stew beef (stew beef is labeled as such at any grocers and is simply beef already cut into bite sized chunks for stew)
• 15 oz can stewed tomatoes
• 8 oz can tomato sauce
• 8 oz can water
• 5 potatoes peeled and cubed (I use Russet potatoes)
• 4 carrots chopped
• 3 small onions chopped
• 2-3 sliced celery stalks
• McCormick brown gravy mix (found by the soups or ketchup isles and is in a small package)--note: get the brown gravy mix, not the McCormick stew package!

1. 
    
   dkimages.com

   Turn your skillet on medium-high and begin browning your beef. After about 10 minutes of browning (or until most red is gone)drain the meat.

2. 
    
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   Put your browned beef into the large pot (with lid) and add your tomatoes, sauce and water (I use the empty 8 oz can of sauce to fill up with the water to add that extra bit of tomato sauce). Cook medium-high until tender. This should take about an hour, but keep stirring every 10-15 minutes as the beef sometimes wants to stick. Cook covered! The beef will absorb much of the water after about 30-40 minutes and feel free to add another cup if you feel it is getting to dry at this point.

3. 
    
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   Cut up your vegetables and add to the pot after the beef has tenderized. Add a little more water if needed. Cook on medium heat for 30-40 minutes (usually takes around 40).

4. 
    
   mccormick.com

   Mix gravy as directed on package (its simply boiling some water and stirring the gravy in), let simmer/thicken on separate pot and then stir into the stew. Cook ten more minutes and salt/pepper to taste!

5. 
    
   desertculinary.blogspot.com (see there for good biscuit recipe)

   Serve with hot buttery biscuits and enjoy!

[FrazzledNanny]

on 1/9/2009 I have always wanted to make beef stew. I can make soup that people come from everywhere to eat but I could never find a good stew recipe. I can't wait to try this. Thanks! 5*'s!

[bg8510]

on 11/20/2008 It's a chilly day here in Texas and this recipe sounds like just what I'll need tonight! Thanks.

[BeaEmery]

on 11/10/2008 Wonderful! It does make the house smell nice...it is definitely a recipe that takes some time but on those cold winter days I always find it a perfect excuse to cuddle inside and watch the fire. Glad you tried it out! :)

[bossypants]

on 11/10/2008 I made this and it is comforting and yummy! I'm usually all about easy (me, chop?!) but the peeling and chopping were sort of soothing. The stew came together just great, looked picture perfect and tasted even better. Oh, and the house smelled divine!

[lrecker]

on 11/7/2008 Beef stew rocks. Thanks for this one.