Steak Stew

I've been time challenged when it comes to dinners around here.  I was inspired by the giant Costco "stew meat" package.  I remember my Mom making stew when I was little, it was a really good one pot meal.  So, I brought home the ingredients, and drug out the crock pot.  BOY, am I glad I did.  Imagine my surprise when it turned out really good, and my kids were asking for seconds.  The recipie I used allowed for a lot of interpretaion (for example, it didn't call for carrots, but there were carrots in the picture of the meal). There were also other discrepancies with measurments.  I've cleaned it up, and revised it here:

Steak Stew  (Named By My Daughter...Who Loves Steak..)

1/2 cup plus 2 tblsp. flour, divided

2 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

3 lbs. beef stew meat

3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced

1 can (16 oz) diced tomatoes in juice, undrained

6 ribs celery

1 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chicken broth

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 tblsp. water

2 cups diced carrots

1.) combine the 1/2 cup flour, salt and pepper in a large resealable plastic bag, add the beef and shake until the beef is coated.  Place in slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients except the 2 tblsp. flour and water.

Cover and cook on low 8-12 hours, or on high 4-6 hours.

2.) One hour before serving, combine 2 tblsp flour and 3 tblsp water in a small bowl. whisk together and add to the stew mixture. Cover and cook until thickened.

This stew is excellent served with my Amish Cornbread.

Amish Cornbread

There is something about a giant slab of buttered cornbread...something irresistable. I made some chicken rice soup yesterday, and cornbread as the accompanyment. I got my recipe from an older Amish gentlemen that was selling cornmeal that he had ground himself. I'm not sure how he had typed copies of recipes to hand out. I'm pretty sure that the Amish have sworn off computers. But, if there is anything that I know for sure is that the Amish, and farmers in general, are very resourceful.
Amish Cornbread:

Preheat oven to 450.
Grease a 8" square pan.
In a bowl, combine:
1 cup corn meal (I prefer very course meal)
1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
In a seperate bowl, blend together (beat one minute):
1 cup plus 2 tblsp. milk
4 tblsp. oil
1 egg
Make a well in the center of the mixture and pour in the milk mixture; stir until blended. Pour into pan, bake for 25 minutes.

Perfect every time.