Basic Meat Stew

What you need:

  • 2 tablespoons fat or oil
  • 1-1/2 pounds boneless stew meat, cut in 1-inch cubes
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 3 cups liquid (water, vegetable or fruit juice)
  • 4 medium potatoes, scrubbed and cut up
  • 5 medium carrots, scrubbed and cut up
  • 1 (10-ounce) package frozen peas (or any other green vegetable)

How to prepare:

  1. Heat fat in a large-size heavy saucepan over medium high heat.
  2. Coat the meat in the flour and brown in the fat.
  3. Add the liquid and cover tightly.
  4. Simmer over medium heat for 1-1/2 hours.
  5. Add potatoes and carrots.
  6. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.
  7. Add frozen peas, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
  8. Puree stew in food processor to a smooth consistency.
  9. Store in refrigerator up to 2 days; freeze 2-3 months.

Variation:

  1. Any vegetable can be substituted and 1/2 cup of uncooked rice may be substituted for the potatoes.