Easy Beef Stew

A simple beef stew recipe that'll become a weekday staple. Add ingredients, like bacon or mushrooms, to give your stew some spunk.

• Ready In: 1 hr 45 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

•  vegetable oil cooking spray
• 1 1⁄2 lbs  stew meat, cubed
• 1 (11 1/2ounce) can tomato juice
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 1  large garlic clove, minced
• 1  bay leaf
•  salt and pepper
• 2  medium potatoes, cut into eighths
• 2  medium carrots, cut into 1 in. pieces
• 5  ounces  pearl onions, peeled
• 2  stalks celery, cut into 1 in. pieces
•  chopped parsley

Directions

1. Coat Dutch oven or large saucepan with vegetable oil cooking spray, heat over medium heat.
2. Add cubed beef and brown on all sides. Pour off excess fat.
3. Add tomato juice, water, garlic, bay leaf, salt and pepper, and bring beef mixture to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low; Simmer for 1 hour.
4. Add potatoes and carrots, and continue cooking for 15 minutes.
5. Add onions and celery, and cook for another 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
6. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.