Here’s a classic recipe, perfect with winter just around the corner. Beef stew can seem difficult to make, but really it couldn’t be easier. the best part is, you can feed your whole family with this hearty recipe and not put a dent in your budget. This is a really cheap and easy dinner idea that will have your family begging you to add it to the regular rotation!

Ingredients

• Beef Chuck Steak - cubed (Other tough cuts would work as well)
• 2-3 carrots
• 2-3 celery stalks
• 1 large onion
• 1 bag pearl onions
• 6 -8 diced potatoes (skin on or off)
• Minced garlic to taste
• 6 cups beef broth
• 1 -2 tbsp bacon grease or oil
• Flour
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 Bay leaf
• Salt & Pepper

Directions:

1. Heat grease in a dutch oven
2. Dredge cubed beef in flour, add to hot oil and cook until browned
3. Add salt and pepper, chopped onions onions - cook until soft
4. Add 1 cup of the beef broth, Worcestershire, bay leaf and garlic, mix ingredients well
5. Add the rest of the beef broth
6. Stir in chopped carrot, celery, potato and pearl onion
7. Bring contents to a boil, then simmer, covered, for several hours until beef is tender.

Tip:

• Don’t be afraid to add more liquid if soup is too thick
• To stretch the soup more, add an additional 2 tbsp. flour and 2 additional cups broth or water
• Use beef bullion if you don’t already have beef stock. You will save a lot of money.

I said we would be having some more soups coming soon, so here you go! I found this on MSN.com’s Food & Entertaining category. I changed it a little bit though.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups water
• 1 can (14 oz.) chicken stock
• 1 can (10 3/4 oz.) cream of chicken soup
• 2/3 cup wild rice, uncooked, rinsed & drained
• 1 tsp. dried thyme
• 1 tsp. coarse black pepper
• 3 cups cooked chicken, cut-up (about a pound)
• 4 medium potatoes, cut-up
• 1 can spinach

Directions:

1. Combine water, chicken stock, cream of chicken soup, uncooked wild rice, potato, thyme & pepper in a crockpot.
2. Cook for 6-8 hours on low or 3.5-5 hours on high.
3. Just before serving, stir in spinach and heat through. Serve.

For being such a cheap and simple meal, it is delicious and very hearty.