Old Fashioned Beef Stew

I live in Texas and we usually don't have very cold winters. The normal is usually in the mid 40's to upper 50's. BUT this winter, we've had our coldest in 14 years.  It stayed in the 30's for highs and 20's for lows for all of last week.  So I decided that we needed something that would be hearty and warm so I made a big pot of beef stew.

Instead of cooking it on the stove, I used my crock pot and it took a little longer, but the meat was so tender you could cut it with a fork.  I've decided to include the cooking directions for both ways, stove-top and crock pot.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds cubed beef stew meat
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups water
2 cups beef broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 onion cut in half and quartered
4 cups cubed potatoes
2 cups chopped carrots
1 teaspoons dried rosemary
1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
1 cup fresh or frozen green peas,
1 cup chopped turnip (optional)
2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes (optional) I love tomato so I add it.

Crock Pot Directions:

First using the first 3 ingredients, put your olive oil in a large skillet and heat to medium hot.  Take a large zip bag or paper sack and add your flour, salt, pepper to taste and stew meat.  Shake till meat is covered with flour. Cook in olive oil till brown on all sides. Remove and place in crock pot.

Add the next 8 ingredients to your crock pot and cook on high for 4 hours, then cut it to low if you have that setting and cook it another 3-4 hours adding the last 4 ingredients the last hour.   Easy-pesy.

*Note:  If you do not have a "LOW" setting on your crock pot, leave it on "HIGH" till hour 6, cut it off then add your last 4 ingredients and let sit for 2 hours

Stove Top Directions:

Heat oil in large pot. Add beef and flour, stirring to coat beef; brown.
Add water, broth, salt, and pepper. Heat to boiling; reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour.
Stir in potatoes, carrots (or turnips), and rosemary. Simmer 1-2 hours.
Add corn, green peas, and simmer for 30 minutes longer.

Enjoy!!