Oven Beef Stew

This is an easy, tasty beef stew recipe. My mom made this the other day, and not a bite was left over. The beef can be cooked the day before serving if desired, and refrigerated overnight. The day of serving, add carrots and potatoes and bake for an hour. I prefer to do it all in one day, though. Simple comfort food, great for the "meat-and-potatoes man"!

• Ready In: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons flour
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 1  dash black pepper
• 1  dash garlic powder
• 1 1⁄2 lbs beef chuck, cut in 1-inch cubes
• 2  tablespoons Crisco shortening
• 2 (10 3/4ounce) cans  condensed tomato soup
• 2 (10 3/4ounce) cans water
• 1 1⁄2 cups  chopped onions
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried basil
• 4  medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4  carrots, cut in 1-inch pieces
• 1⁄2 cup dry red wine or 1⁄2 cup water

Directions

1. Combine flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Coat beef cubes and brown in hot Crisco.
3. Add, soup, water, and onion.
4. Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour.
5. Remove from oven.
6. Add red wine, basil, potatoes and carrots and bake 1 hour, or until tender.