Mini Beef Stew

I love a good beef stew, but it can be hard to find a good recipe that can be cut down for a small crock pot. This week I have finally perfected my mini beef stew recipe, perfect for 1-2 people plus just enough leftovers to take to work and make coworkers jealous at lunchtime.

I do this in my 2.5qt mini crock pot, but it would work in a 3 qt crock pot as well, just add a little bit more of each ingredient, and some water to top off the liquid.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb stew meat
• 2 fist-sized red potatoes, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1-2 carrots, chopped into pieces
• 1 can (~15 oz) beef broth
• 1 pkg Lipton Onion Soup Mix
• 4 beef bouillon cubes
• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Pepper

Directions:

• Place the stew meat in the bottom of a small (2-3 qt) crock pot.
• Add 1 package of Lipton Onion Soup mix, beef bouillon cubes, a few shakes of Italian Seasoning blend, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Layer red potatoes on top of stew meat, and carrots on top of potatoes.
• Pour beef broth over the mix, then add water to the 3/4 full line if necessary.

Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or high 4-5 hours, until meat and potatoes are tender.