Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Serves 8-10

Hands-on Time: 35m

Total Time: 8hr 00m

Ingredients

• 4 pounds bottom round, well trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup olive oil (plus more if needed)
• 2 large onions, diced (2 cups)
• 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 1 pound potatoes, cut into 2-inch pieces (about 4 cups)
• 1/2 pound baby carrots (about 2 cups)
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed

Directions

1. Coat the beef in the flour. Heat a few tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meat, a few pieces at a time, adding more oil as necessary. Transfer to a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker.

2. Add the onions to the skillet and cook over medium heat until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and coat the onions; transfer to the cooker.

3. Pour the wine into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits; add to the cooker. Stir in the potatoes, carrots, broth, salt, thyme, and bay leaf.

4. Cover and cook on low heat for 7 1/2 hours, or on high for 4 hours. Add the peas and heat through.

Tip: Because different slow-cooker models cook at different rates, the total time is presented as a range. Check for doneness at the low end of the range (but not before, or the escaping heat will slow the cooking). If the food is not done, continue cooking to the end of the suggested range.

Calcium 54mg; Calories 520; Calories From Fat 34%; Carbohydrate 31g; Cholesterol 127mg; Fat 20g; Fiber 4g; Iron 6mg; Protein 48mg; Sat Fat 5g; Sodium 1061mg

From Real Simple

Laurie Colwin's Lentil Soup

I like lentil soups and I'm delighted to know this was a recipe favored by Laurie Colwin. In my version, I have just made it on the stove top and used red lentils. But first, I sauteed the onions and garlic a little in olive oil. Then I added the chopped carrots and 2 stalks of chopped celery. Then I added the qt of chicken broth and the cup of lentils. It's simmering now and may simmer until dinner time. That would be about 8 hours of simmer time. I'll keep my fingers crossed it will be tasty.

For this slow-cooker recipe, you can also add things like: a cubed potato, a bit of tomato paste, a bay leaf, sauteed bacon, short ribs, or cooked and drained sausage.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup lentils, sorted and rinsed
• 1 quart chicken stock
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, diced

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients in a 3-4 quart crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours until all ingredients are tender. Serves 4-6

http://busycooks.about.com/od/hotsouprecipes/r/lentilsoup.htm