Beef Stew for Those Cold Winter Meals

One of my favorite winter dishes is beef stew. I have a very simple recipe for making it and it works very well for a slow simmer on the stove or using a slow cooker.

Ingredients
2 pounds beef stew meat
8 carrots, cut in chunks
2 onion, chopped
6 stalks celery, diced
6 medium potatoes, diced
30 ounces stewed tomatoes, undrained
2 dashes thyme
2 dashes oregano
pinch salt
2 beef bouillon cube
3 cups water

Directions
Combine all ingredients in an 8-quart pot or 6.5 quart slow cooker.
Cover; cook on low for 7-9 hours in the slow cooker.
If you are using a stove top pot, you will need to bring the stew to a full boil and then back the temperature to low. Let it simmer for 6 to 7 hours. Keep it covered and stir occasionally.

I serve it with a crusty bread. A loaf of French bread or a baguette would be perfect for sopping up the gravy.