Making Beef Stew

 I have not made Beef Stew in ages...

I always use to make it in the crock pot on Halloween, but somehow that tradition faded.

The crock pot takes a long time for the food to cook.

We don't really eat lunch, 

so we eat dinner early and when I use the crock pot the meal is not ready when we are.

Right now, I have been using my big blue Rachael Ray cast iron pot and I really love that.

I could not find the recipe I use to use, but I had a pretty good recollection of what I use to put in it.

I found a recipe on line that was very similar, so I altered and used that.

I used the celery for flavor, but I diced it very small.

I put seasoned flour in a zip-lock bag and added the cut up meat, shaking the bag to coat the meat.

The video I watched said you could skip this step but I always remember doing it so I did.

The meat comes out and goes back in after the vegetables and broth.

I use frozen pearl onions and we love them!

I ended up using 4 potatoes, we love potatoes.

I remember to photograph some parts, most times I just forget.

Those little chunks in the broth are garlic, not lumps.

You can kind of see the size of the carrots, I cut them a little bit bigger on an angle.

This is the finished stew, all ready to put in bowls...and you guessed it, I forgot to take pictures.

I thickened the gravy at the end with flour and water mixed together.

I always use a jar and shake it together.

I also use a sprinkle of coffee grounds I keep in the freezer...

you could just add a little bit of coffee if you are a coffee drinker and have a little on hand.

In addition I use Gravy Master for color and a little flavor and butter to gloss it up.

We had a big loaf of crusty bread with it and it was the best pot of stew I have ever made.

And one more thing checked off the bucket list.