Incredible Beef Stew

Welcome, with the Georgia weather reports saying snow is in our future; I had to find some warm comfort food. Many years ago my sister and I went to the Victorian Tea Room in Warm Springs, Georgia. It is now closed but was known for its wonderful food. My sister bought this cookbook and of course I had to take possession of it and try some of the recipes. Yes I wear out a cookbook, don't I? This is the best recipe for Beef Stew that I have ever eaten. The pickle juice just makes it! It is easy, tasty and with snow on the way it is what we need. Am I the only one that writes in cookbooks?

As you can see from the page, this recipe has been used a lot.

Beef Stew

1 1/2 pounds lean stew beef, cubed

meat tenderizer

salt and pepper

2 to 3 tablespoons cooking oil

2 quarts water

2 medium carrots, sliced in 1" pieces

1 small green pepper, cut in thin strips

2 turnip roots, peeled and cubed

4 stalks of celery, cut in 1" pieces

1 bay leaf

1/4 cup dill pickle juice

1 (10 1/2 ounce) can condensed tomato soup

dash Tabasco

3 potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 (28 ounce) can tomatoes cut and undrained

1 pound can small English peas, drained

2 to 3 tablespoons flour mixed with water

Sprinkle stew meat with meat tenderizer. Salt and pepper meat. Place cooking oil in a large dutch oven and heat. Brown meat on all sides in cooking oil. Add all remaining ingredients except potatoes, tomatoes and English peas. Cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, or until meat is tender. Add potatoes the last 20 minutes of cooking. Add tomatoes and English peas the last 10 minutes of cooking. Remove bay leaf. Mix together the flour and water (about 1/4 cup) and blend until smooth. Gradually add to stew and simmer until thickened. Stir frequently. Additional salt and pepper if needed. Serves 8.

NOTE: This is also good cooked in a crock pot slowly all day. Just brown meat as described above. Add all remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer on low all day.

Thank you for dropping by. I am getting candles, flashlights, food and everything I can think we will need in case of a loss of power. We are excited about the thought of a little snow but the tiniest bit will shut us down. Thanks for stopping in!