Slow Cooker Crock Pot

A beef stew recipe may be commonly found in any household menu and each family surely has its own version. The secret, however, does not only lie on the uniqueness and freshness of the ingredients but on what method of cooking is used. More than pressure cooking, slow cooking is considered one of the best way to prepare a beef stew recipe. The advantage in slow cooking is that, one has the liberty of choosing what cut or part of beef to use. It does not matter if the tough part will be used since slow cooking will definitely tenderize it.

The ingredients for beef stew include: one pound of beef flank or beef shank, cut into about one inch-cubes; four pieces of medium potatoes, quartered; four pieces of medium carrots, cubed; two pieces of turnips, cubed; one piece of medium white onion, quartered; one half cup of sliced celery; one and a half cup of boiling beef stock or boiling water; two cups of canned stewed tomatoes with juice; one teaspoon of tapioca; one teaspoon of brown sugar; two tablespoons of soy sauce; one fourth cup of cooking oil; one cup of all purpose flour or more; one teaspoon of whole peppercorns; and salt and pepper to taste.

The first step is to lightly season the beef cubes with salt and pepper, then coat with the all purpose flour. Fry the beef cubes in cooking oil for about seven to ten minutes, just enough to brown them. Turn off the fire and put the meat on paper towels to remove excess oil. Place the browned beef inside the slow cooker and add the remaining ingredients. Cover the slow cooker and set on high for five minutes. Adjust the temperature setting to low and cook for nine to ten hours. The stew may be stirred during the last five minutes of cooking. Adjust the taste by adding in more salt and pepper. The sauce will be thick at this point due to the reduction of the fluid and the presence of the tapioca and flour that was used to coat the beef before frying.

This recipe will serve four to five persons and may easily be doubled. The beef will be fork tender and is best served over rice or with mashed potatoes.

Remember to check the specifics of the slow cooker that is to be used. There are a variety of models that are available in the market today and depending on the capacity of the cooker, a few modifications may be needed to ensure safe and tasty cooking. Just remember that when slow cooking, patience is surely a virtue.

Tags: Cooker, Recipes, Cooking, Crock Pot Cooker Parts, Slow Cooker