Friday, October 22, 2010

The Best Crock Pot Beef Stew

When I was first married I worked at a retirement home. One day while talking to the chef she mentioned another chef at a rival retirement home had ordered beef stew already made from her supplier. "If you can't make beef stew you have no business in the kitchen" was her comment. In my head I said to myself "I have never ever tried to make beef stew, I guess maybe I should" And so I did, after many not so good attempts I found a recipe from Cooks Country and I have really liked it. I have adapted it some to fit better with what we really like.

The Best Crock Pot Beef Stew

1 lb boneless beef chuck-eye roast trimmed and cut into 1 1/2 inch 1 1/2 lbs
salt and pepper
3 TBSP vegetable oil
1 medium onions, chopped fine (or 1 Tbsp dry onion)
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
2 cups beef broth
3 TBSP soy sauce (don't leave it out it really makes it more meaty tasting)
1 lb carrots peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces (or 1/4 cup dry carrots rehydrated in 1 cup of water for 10 minutes0
2 lb potatoes, cut into 1 inch pieces
1/12 tsp thyme
2 bay leaves
2 TBSP minuet tapioca
2 cups frozen peas

1. Dry beef with paper towel, season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 TBSP oil in large skillet over medium heat until just smoking. Brown beef about 8 minute. Transfer to slow cooker.
2. Add 1 tbsp oil, onions and 1/4 tsp salt to skillet and cook until golden brown, about 6 minuets. Add tomato paste, broth and soy sauce bring to simmer, and transfer to slow cooker.
3. Toss carrots, potatoes, thyme and remaining oil in bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Wrap vegetables in foil packet that will fit in slow cooker (Like you are making a hobo dinner to cook in a campfire). Stir bay leaves and tapioca into slow cooker; set vegetable packet on top of beef.
4. Set slow cooker to high, cover, and cook 6 to 7 hours (or 10 to 11 on low) Transfer vegetable packet to plate. Carefully open and stir vegetables and juices into stew. Add peas and let stand until heated through.