Cider Stew

One of my favorite slow cooker recipes.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
• 2 pounds beef stew meat
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 2 cups apple cider
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 4 carrots, quartered
• 3 potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 2 onions, sliced
• 1 rib celery, sliced
• 1 apple, chopped

Directions

Combine flour, salt, pepper and thyme; toss with meat to coat. In Dutch oven, brown meat in hot oil. Stir in cider, water and vinegar; cook and stir to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until meat is tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Add vegetables and apple. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed.

SLOW POT DIRECTIONS: Use ingredients as above, except do not add water, use only 1 tablespoon vinegar and chop the vegetables. Combine flour, salt, pepper and thyme; toss with meat to coat. In a large skillet, brown the meat in the hot oil. Place chopped vegetables in slow cooker. Add apple and meat. Combine cider and 1 tablespoon vinegar. Pour over meat and vegetables. Cover and cook on low heat setting for 10 to 12 hours. Turn cooker to high-heat setting. Blend 1/2 cup water with 1/4 cup flour; stir into stew. Cover and cook until thickened, about 15 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed.

Submitted 6/13/05.
Source: Family Cookbook
Submitted By: Joy Bowers
joybow@mtaonline.net
Cider Stew