Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Easy Beef Stew ~ In the Crock Pot or In the Oven

Most days, Joe works outside, which means he suffers through the heat in the summer or is chilled to the bone in the winter. Because of this, I try to make meals that will be a comfort to him when he gets home. 

I don't concern myself too much about our summer meals. I worry more about keeping the house cool and comfortable for when he gets home. The air conditioner is on most days, so eating soup or stew in the summer is okay.

But there's nothing like a nice, warm bowl of beef stew after a really chilly day at work.



Here's an easy recipe that I like to use:

Crock Pot Beef Stew


Ingredients:


  • 1 pound, beef cubes
  • potatoes, cubed
  • onions, chopped
  • carrots, chopped
  • celery, chopped
  • 1 - 2 cans condensed tomato soup
  • Italian seasoning
  • crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 Tbs. Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tsp. Beef Bouillon granules mixed with a small amount of water
  • Salt & Pepper

Add all ingredients to crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

I've also made this in the oven.  Still, it's super-easy!  Add all ingredients to a large baking dish or foil pan.  Cover with either a lid or two layers of foil and cook in a 250 degree oven for 5 hours. 


Notes:
  • I usually use London Broil when I make this recipe.  I buy it when it's on a BOGO sale.  I like my stew meat diced much smaller than the pre-diced meat from the store, so I skip it and go for the London Broil and dice it myself.
  • I really don't measure anything when I make this stew.  I just add whatever I'm in the mood for at the time.  The tomato soup does all the work and when it combines with the juices from the beef and vegetables, it really doesn't NEED anything other than salt and pepper if you're really in a hurry.
  • I never use the same amount of vegetables. It varies each time I make it, according to what I have in my veggie bin. If I'm running low on potatoes, I add more carrots. If I'm out of celery, I skip it. It's really a fool-proof recipe.
  • Sometimes I add frozen vegetables.  Either whole corn or frozen mixed veggies.  Whatever is handy at the time. 
  • Also, the only other liquid I add to the stew, is just a bit that I add to the can to get as much of the soup out of the can as possible. I use one or two cans of soup depending on how many veggies I add.
I originally heard about this recipe from a co-worker (back when I was still working).  She found this recipe in her grandmother's recipe box and told me how easy it was to prepare.  Her grandmother's recipe only called for the meat, vegetables and tomato soup.

I'll be linking this post to the following blog carnivals: 

10 comments:

Heather S-G said...

Yes, this definitley sounds like some rib-sticking goodness! Perfect cool weather food. Thank you for sharing it with the hearth and soul hop this week :)

Melynda@Scratch Made Food! said...

Now that I have a new crock pot, I want to try more of these recipes I find at the hop. thanks.

April@The 21st Century Housewife said...

You are right, there is nothing like stew on a cold autumn or winter evening - and yours sounds just scrumptious. I imagine it smells lovely in the crock pot when it's cooking too! Thanks for sharing such a yummy recipe.

Debbi Does Dinner Healthy said...

I bought a bunch of stew meat that I have in the freezer, I need to make a stew!!

Miz Helen said...

Your stew looks great! I would really like to have a bowl right now. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe with me.
Miz Helen

annies home said...

I love using the crockpot beef stew is a family favorite thanks for sharing

wacki04@TheKing'sCourt IV said...

Looks delicious! I'd love to have you share your recipes each week at What's Cooking Wednesday! Hope to see you there!

Cristi
http://thekingscourt4.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

my hubs is a huge fan of stew and i am always looking for new recipes to try. thank you for sharing it with tuesday night supper club.

Lisa said...

What a good idea for cutting down time in the kitchen, and yet you still get a delicious meal in the end.

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

London Broil? I usually use chuck. Anyway, maybe I'll try LB next time. Happy FF.

:)
ButterYum

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