Thirty Days of Lor-cipies

A Christmas Gift to You

from Loree Lough

Yes, it's true: I'm always on a deadline. So to ensure that my family gets well-balanced, nutritious meals, I rely heavily on my trusty slow cooker. (And, on occasion, my favorite Dutch oven.) And throughout the month of December—one of the busiest months of the year—I'm sharing my family's favorite recipes with you.

 

If you try one this one, send me a picture of it and I'll add your name to the hat, and you might win a basket of New Year's fun!

 

Merry Christmas!

 

December 10

 

Loree's Best-Ever Beef Stew

 

Ingredients:

 

½ cup (plus 2 tablespoons) flour, divided

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

3 pounds beef stew cubes

1-16 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained

½ pound sausage, sliced

3 potatoes, peeled and diced

1 cup leek, chopped

1 cup onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, sliced

 

1 package frozen peas

 

1 package frozen carrots

½ cup chicken broth

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried thyme

3 tablespoons water

 

Directions:

 

Spray slow cooker with Pam.

Combine ½ cup flour, salt and pepper in a resealable food storage bag.

Add beef, and shake to coat beef.

Place beef in slow cooker

Add remaining ingredients (except 2 tablespoons flour and water)

Stir, cover, and cook on LOW 10-12 hours.

One hour before serving, mix remaining flour and water in small bowl and mix into stew.

Cook 30-60 minutes more until stew has thickened.