Apple Cider Beef Stew

This is a great fall stew, with beef, apples, and potatoes. The addition of cloves and allspice give it a wonderful "Autumn" kick. Use the apples of your choice -- I prefer Granny Smith because they hold together well in a stew and add a little tartness. This can probably be adapted to crock pot by someone who is more experienced at crock pot cooking than I am.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 5 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2  lbs beef stew meat
• 3  medium potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
• 2  medium onions, sliced
• 4  carrots, peeled and quartered
• 1  apple, peeled and sliced (I use Granny Smith)
• 3  tablespoons flour
• 3  tablespoons  oil
• 2  cups apple cider
• 2  tablespoons lemon juice
• 1  bay leaf
• 6  whole cloves
• 6  whole allspice
• 1⁄4 teaspoon dried basil

Directions

1. Mix flour, salt and pepper and put in a plastic bag.
2. Add stew meat and shake until well-coated.
3. Brown the meat in the oil in a heavy pot or Dutch oven. Pour off any fat.
4. Stir in the cider, lemon juice, bay leaf, cloves and allspice and basil.
5. Bring to a boil, and simmer, covered for 1 1/2 hours.
6. Add vegetables and apple and cook another 20 minutes.