French Beef Stew

My mother-in-law got this recipe from a community school cookbook. It's so simple and all of my frinds make it now. Once you taste it you'll be sharing it with all of your friends.

• Ready In: 4 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 2  lbs beef stew meat, cut in 1 1/2 inch chunks
• 2  medium onions, quartered
• 3  stalks celery, cut in large chunks
• 4  carrots, cut in 1 1/2 inch pieces
• 2  large potatoes, cut in 1 1/2 inch pieces
• 1  cup tomato juice (V-8 recomended)
• 1⁄4 cup tapioca
• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 1  tablespoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1⁄2 cup dry red wine (burgundy recommended, or omit wine and use 1 cup water)
• 1⁄2 cup water

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300°F
2. Mix together all ingredients, except potatoes, in a large Dutch oven casserole; cover and cook for 3 hours.
3. Add potatoes and cook for additional 1 hour.