Beef and Cider Stew

This recipe comes from Karen Ciancio, who has a terrific food and cooking website CookingNook.com Have a visit - and check out the list of 10 healthiest foods to eat, cooked in the crock pot of course!

Ingredients:

2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1" cubes

3 tbsp vegetable oil

3 tbsp flour

1 - 2 tsp salt (to your taste)

1/4 tsp dried thyme, crushed

1/4 tsp pepper

4 carrots, peeled and chopped

3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped

2 onions, peeled, cut in half, then sliced

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 apple, chopped

2 cups apple cider

1 tbsp vinegar

1/2 cup cold water

1/4 cup flour

Directions:

In a skillet, brown half the meat at a time in hot oil. Drain off any fat. Combine the flour, salt, thyme and pepper. Toss this mixture with the browned meat to coat.

Place the chopped carrots, potatoes, celery, onion and apple in a crock pot. Place the meat on top. Pour cider and vinegar over all. Cover and cook on LOW for 10-12 hours.

Turn crock pot to HIGH. Mix cold water with 1/4 cup flour. Blend together well so there are no lumps. Stir this mixture into the stew. Cover and cook until thickened, about 15 minutes. Serves 8