Things You'll Need:
- Cornstarch
- Cold beef stock or broth
- Wire metal whisk
- Bowl
- Crock pot
- Potato peeler
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- 4 carrots
- 4 potatoes
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 celery stalk
- 1 onion
- 2 pounds beef stew meat
- Salt and pepper to taste
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Step 1
Assemble the ingredients you will need for the stew on the table or counter. These are: 4 carrots, 4 potatoes, 2 pounds of lean chuck or beef stew meat cut in 1 to 2 inch cubes, 2 cups beef broth, 1 minced garlic clove, salt and pepper to taste, 1 diced white onion, 1 stalk celery and 2 tablespoons olive oil. For the slurry that you will add later you will need cornstarch and cold beef broth.
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Step 2
Place the crock pot near to where you will plug it in. Wash and then peel the carrots --- discard the peels. Wash the potatoes well, peel them and then discard the skins. Slice the potatoes in half and then dice into small pieces. Dice the vegetables on a flat surface or cutting board, and then add to the crock pot. On a separate cutting board, cut the beef into 1 to 2-inch pieces, removing gristle and fat. Add to the crock pot. Remove the garlic peel, and then pulverize with a garlic press. Add garlic to the crock pot. Mix ingredients well with a spoon.
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Step 3
Add four cups of beef broth using boullion cubes or canned broth to the crock pot. Adjust water if looks like you need more to cover ingredients. Using a spoon, mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Peel the white onion and discard the peel. Cut and dice it into fine chunks and then add it to the crock pot stew. Wash and dice the celery stalk and add two tablespoons olive oil. Mix all ingredients well with the spoon. Plug in the crock pot and put on medium heat. Let it cook 10 to 12 hours. Keep an eye on the stew, checking occasionally.
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Step 4
Let the stew cook for several hours and when it is hot and bubbling you can add the slurry to thicken it. A thicker stew is tastier and more what the consistency should be. You will need a small bowl, 2 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 cups cold beef broth. Add the slurry cold then stir it into the stew.
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Step 5
First add the cornstarch to the bowl with 2 cups cold beef broth. This can be canned or you can make it with cold water and boullion cubes. Whisk the cornstarch and beef broth in the bowl with a wire whisk. Slowly pour the mixture into the hot stew in the crock pot. Using a wire whisk, stir the slurry in slowly. When you're finished, let the stew continue to cook until it's done and thickened.
