Crock Pot Beef Stew

This is one of my family's favorites. It is so nice on a cold winters day.

• Ready In: 10 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons flour
• 1⁄2-1  teaspoon chili powder (optional)
• 1  lb beef stew meat
• 2  tablespoons  cooking oil
• 2 1⁄2 cups  vegetable juice cocktail
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped onion
• 2  teaspoons beef bouillon granules
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
• 2 1⁄4 cups  cubed peeled potatoes
• 2  cups  sliced carrots
• 1  cup  sliced celery

Directions

1. Place flour and chili powder if using in a plastic bag.
2. Add meat cubes a few at a time shaking to coat.
3. Heat oil in large saucepan or skillet.
4. Brown the meat in the hot oil.
5. In the bottom of a crock pot layer onion, potatoes, carrots and celery.
6. Sprinkle with the bouillon granules, garlic, basil and thyme.
7. Top with the browned meat.
8. Pour the vegetable juice cocktail over the meat.
9. (When I use chili powder in the flour on the meat I use V-8 Picante).
10. Cover; cook on low for 10-12 hours or until meat and veggies are tender.
11. NOTE: This can be prepared on top of the stove also.
12. Brown the meat as above, only leave the meat in the pan and top with 3 1/2 cups vegetable juice cocktail, onion, bouillon granules, garlic, basil, and thyme.
13. Bring to boiling, reduce heat and cover.
14. Simmer 1-1 1/4 hours or until meat is nearly tender.
15. Add potatoes, carrots and celery.
16. Cover; simmer 30 minutes more.