SOUTHERN BEEF STEW

This recipe produces a wonderful, Southern style beef stew from your programmable crockpot, an easy and hearty meal your whole family will always enjoy. Serve this stew with homemade cornbread or a nice rustic bread. Yum!

Ingredients:
•2 tablespoons olive oil
•1 1/2 pounds stew beef, lean, cut in 1/2 inch pieces
•3 tablespoons flour seasoned with salt and pepper
•1 1/2 cups chopped onion
•1 cup carrots, julienne or thinly sliced
•3 ribs celery, sliced
•1 sweet green bell pepper, chopped
•1 sweet red bell pepper, chopped
•1 teaspoon salt
•1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
•1/4 teaspoon black pepper
•2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes, not drained
•2 cans (15 oz each) pinto beans, drained, rinsed
•1 can (10 1/2 oz) condensed beef broth, undiluted
•1 cup canned (drained) or unfrozen corn kernels,

Preparation:
Toss the beef with seasoned flour. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; saute, stirring frequently, until soft, add beef and stir until well browned on all sides.
In a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker, put together the celery, carrots, red and green bell pepper, seasonings, beans, broth, tomatoes, and add the browned beef and onions.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, or on LOW for 8 to 10 hours.
For an extra kick, you can add frozen corn kernels about 1 hour before serving time.

Serve with hot baked cornbread or a flavored rustic bread

Serves 6.