Crockpot Beef Stew

Beef Stew

     Well I'm on Fall break. At least that's what my students are calling it. The kids get the whole week off and us teachers are doing training and conferences the first part of the week. I was wise and scheduled all my conferences today for the morning so I had the afternoon to work on lesson plans. So now I'm all ready with my lessons for next week and I can relax and just chill for the next 4 days.

     I've got a lot of plans for the next 4 days. First off I'm planning on sleeping in a bit. I haven't slept in for quite some time now and I really need some extra Z's. In fact I so tired that I could probably take a nap right now, but I hate to waste any time with a nap.

     I also want to do some cake decorating this long weekend. I just bought some doll cake pans and I want to practice making some doll cakes. They should be pretty easy to do. I think I'm going to make a bride and some bridesmaids with a fall theme of course.

    One other thing that I want to do is some quilting. I've got a black and white quilt that is sandwiched and ready to be quilted. Now all I've got to do is sit down and do some serious quilting on it. It shouldn't take too long. In fact I should be able to get it done over the weekend if I do a little bit every day.

     While I'm doing all these things I'm thinking that making some meals in the crockpot is probably a must. I love when I can just throw everything in the crockpot and let it do its thing. This recipe that I'm sharing today is one of those perfect recipes for just that. I made this a couple weekends ago when I was on the run. I just put it all in the crockpot and went about my business and when dinner time came it was ready. It's a great fall/winter meal that everybody will love.

Crockpot Beef Stew
3 carrots, slice
2 potatoes, cubed
2 lbs stew meat, cut into bite size pieces
2 C water
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 t Worcestershire sauce
1/2 t garlic powder
1 bay leaf
1/4 t salt
1/2 t pepper
1 t paprika
1 large onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, sliced

2T cornstarch
1/3 C cold water

Combine all ingredients in crockpot except cornstarch and 1/3 cup water. Mix well. Cover. Cook on low 8 hours. Once stew is cooked dissolve cornstarch and 1/3 cup water. Stir into meat mixture. Cook on High until thickened, about 10 minutes. (If you don't have cornstarch you can substitute 1/4 cup flour.)