Two working parents and very busy kids have made our Crock-Pot a virtual family member. While we go about our daily lives, it sits in the kitchen preparing our dinner...kind of like live-in help.

I am always on the look out for fast, nutritious, Crock-Pot meals that feel like 'Good Food' rather than just sustenance (unfortunately, Crock-Pots meals can sometimes end up seeming like mush in tomato sauce).

One of our all-time favorites is loosely based on the Beef Stew recipe that came in the recipe pamphlet/cookbook with our appliance. I have adapted it to our tastes and our pantry. As I was making it this morning, I thought it would be worth sharing--it is easy, nutritious and a big hit with my family (if you double it, it can be frozen and provide an even quicker second meal!).

Beef Stew

2 lbs of Beef Stew meat, well trimmed and cut into bite-sized cubes
1/4-1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 cups beef broth
1-2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce
1 clove of garlic (or 1 teaspoon from jar of pre-chopped)
1-2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon of Paprika
4 carrots sliced (or what is left in your bag of baby carrots)
3 potatoes diced (sweet potatoes can be substituted)
2 onions (I keep a bag of frozen onions to use when I don't have fresh in the pantry)
1 stalk of celery

After trimming and cubing meat, add to Crock-Pot. Mix flour, salt and pepper in measuring cup or small bowl.  Add to Crock-Pot. Mix well, making sure all meat is coated with flour mixture.  Add remaining ingredients (and whatever else you want to add--today I added sliced mushrooms). Mix well. Cover and cook on Low for 10-12 hours (or High for 4-6 hours).  Check occasionally toward the end of the day to make sure there is enough liquid (either water or additional broth can be added). The stew can be thickened by mixing some cornstarch with broth until creamy and adding it the stew an hour or so before serving. Stir Stew thoroughly before serving.  Serve with Bread and cheese.

This recipe is extremely forgiving. I am constantly adding additional vegetables to ramp up the nutritional value and to clean out the fridge.

I hope your family enjoys this recipe as much as mine does--and that it makes getting a quick, nutritious dinner on the table a little easier!