Slow cooking is a go-to option for busy home cooks

Slow cooking is appealing for a number of reasons. Busy home cooks know that slow cooking ensures a home-cooked meal is ready and waiting when they arrive home from work. And those accustomed to slow cooking know the aromas emanating from the Crock-Pot throughout the day can make anyone look forward to dinnertime.

Winter is an especially popular time to utilize a slow cooker, since they’re widely associated with hot and hearty meals. Such is the case with this beef stew from Lines+Angles, which makes a great dinner on busy, cold nights.

 

Beef stew

Makes six servings

• 2 pounds boneless stew beef
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon freshly ground black  pepper
• 1⁄3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Two onions, peeled and diced
• One clove of garlic, peeled and finely chopped
• Three carrots, peeled, trimmed and thickly sliced
• Three ribs of celery, rinsed, trimmed and diced
• Six medium new or red bliss potatoes, rinsed and quartered
• Two bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1⁄2 cup red wine
• 2 cups vegetable or beef broth

1. Rinse the beef under cold running water and pat it completely dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, cut the beef into bite-sized pieces.
2. Combine the salt, pepper and flour. Place the cubed beef in a large, resealable Ziploc bag. Add the seasoned flour and shake to coat the beef thoroughly.
3. Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add the flour-coated beef and brown on all sides.
4. Place the browned beef in the slow cooker. Add the onions, garlic, carrots, celery, potatoes, bay leaves, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, wine and broth.
5. Cover and cook for one hour on high heat, then reduce the heat to low and continue cooking for six hours, or until the meat is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
6. Remove the bay leaves and discard. Ladle the stew into individual serving bowls and serve.

Note: Cooking time may vary depending on the age and size of the slow cooker.