Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Ingredients and Weight:

• Beef Stew Meat: 2 pounds (900 grams)
• Carrots: 2 large, peeled and cut into chunks
• Potatoes: 3 medium, peeled and cut into chunks
• Onion: 1 large, chopped
• Garlic: 4-5 cloves, minced
• Beef Bouillon Cube or Beef Stock: 1 cup
• Tomato Paste: 2 tablespoons
• Dried Herbs (such as oregano, rosemary, thyme): 1 teaspoon each
• Salt and Pepper: to taste
• Cooking Oil: 2 tablespoons

Preparation Time:

• Preparation: 20 minutes
• Cooking: 4-6 hours (slow cooker setting on low) or 3-4 hours on high

Difficulty Level:

Level 3 (Moderate difficulty)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the cooking oil and brown the beef stew meat on all sides.
2. Transfer the browned meat to a slow cooker.
3. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the slow cooker.
4. Pour the beef bouillon cube or beef stock into the slow cooker.
5. Add the tomato paste and dried herbs.
6. Arrange the carrots and potatoes on top of the meat.
7. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the meat is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
8. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
9. Serve hot with your choice of side dish or bread.

Nutritional Information: (per serving, based on 8 total servings) Calories: Approximately 350-400 per serving (depending on the addition of side dishes) Fat: 15-20 grams Carbohydrates: 30-40 grams Protein: 30-40 grams

Dish Characteristics:

• Slow cooked, rich and flavorful beef stew with tender meat and vegetables.
• The dish has a rich, hearty flavor that is typical of American home cooking.
• It is a comforting dish that is perfect for colder weather or a weekend family meal.

User Comments:

1. "This dish was so delicious! The slow cooking made the meat so tender and flavorful."
2. "I added some red wine to enhance the flavor, it was amazing."
3. "I served this with some mashed potatoes and it was a hit with my family."
4. "This recipe is a keeper! The beef stew was so flavorful and the slow cooking made it so easy to prepare."
5. "I added some bell peppers and mushrooms to the stew for more texture and flavor."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Brown the meat before adding it to the slow cooker to enhance flavor.
• Adjust the seasoning, adding more salt and pepper to taste if desired.
• You can add other vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives for more texture and flavor.
• If you want a thicker stew, you can mix corn starch with water and stir into the stew towards the end of cooking time.