Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

It is really easy to make a satisfying beef stew in the slow cooker.   I tend to love the cut up and dump recipes because when your busy you don't want a lot of prep time.  This recipe is like that, but I added a step at the end to make the thick stew like gravy so it is nice and filling.
  

Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Ingredients:

2-3 lbs. beef stew meat, cut into cubes

3 large carrots, peeled and sliced

5 potatoes, peeled and diced

2 onions, peeled and quartered

2 stalks celery, chopped

28 ounce can diced tomatoes

1-1/2 cups water

2 cloves garlic, peeled and diced

1 bay leaf

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon paprika

3/4 teaspoon ground pepper

1 teaspoon thyme

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons butter

3 tablespoons flour

Add all ingredients; except butter and flour, to slow cooker and cook on low for 10 hours.  Stir occasionally.  When cooked 1o hours make the roux.  In a heavy bottom sauce pan melt butter.  Stir in flour and whisk till thick.  Add some of the stew juices from the slow cooker to the roux and whisk till smooth.  Add the roux to the slow cooker and stir in until all mixed evenly.  Can leave slow cooker on low  for up to two more hours and serve hot with crusty bread. 

Yield: 6 servings
Recipe adapted from: North Texas Kids

Enjoy!

Sherry