Mom's Beef Stew

Growing up, my mom would simmer this delicious Beef Stew on the stove top for hours during the day to serve as dinner...the smell would make everyone so hungry that we couldn't wait for dinner. This is my all-time favorite Beef Stew recipe and I can't imagine changing it any time soon...It's perfect for a fall day, extremely easy and though I'm changing it up a little by simmering it in my Crockpot, it still reminds me of the comforts of my parents home.

Mom would serve this with warm Italian bread and butter, however, I am making fresh Focaccia bread and that will be what I serve this evening.

Mom's Beef Stew
Recipe courtesy of my mother, Diane :)

Ingredients 1-2 lbs. stew meat (I got 1 lb. and cut it into smaller chunks)
3 cans of French Onion Soup (I used Campbells)
1 can of water
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. ground Sage
4-5 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
4-5 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1/2-1 onion, diced
2 Tbs. vegetable oil


Directions
In a large pot, brown your stew meat in the vegetable oil. Once browned, reduce heat to simmer and add French Onion soups, 1 soup can full of water, salt, pepper & Sage. Cover and simmer until beef is almost tender, about 1 1/2 hours or so.

Add carrots, potatoes, and onion, cover again and simmer until the vegetables and meat are tender. Serve with bread to dunk. :)

*Now, for me, I browned my meat, which I always cut into smaller chunks, in the oil in a medium skillet. While that was browning, I added my soups, water and seasonings to my Crockpot and set it to high. Then I added the browned meat and covered to simmer...I'll put my veggies in around 1.5 hours before dinner so that they will be tender, but I don't like my carrots too soft, so I'll keep an eye on them!*

Easy as .......um.......stew! :)