Back to the same ole' same ole'

Wow, what a depressing title.  I guess I meant it more like ...and now I have to remember to plan for dinner....which for me means planning 4 days in advance.  Three weeks and two holidays can really leave a girl in a bind, ya know?

Following Marie's announcement of eating less meat...our dinner tonight was crock pot beef stew.

Cut into cubes a pound of chuck roast.  Dredge in seasoned flour and sear in hot oil until brown.  Put into the bottom of the crock pot.  De-glaze the bottom of the pan used to cook the meat with red wine, add chopped onions and cook until soft, 2 or 3 minutes. Layer on top of the meat in the crock pot.  Peel and chop into 1" cubes a large rutabaga.  Add to the crock pot.   Chop celery, carrots, and mushrooms (personal preference on the total) and add as the last layer in the crock pot.  Add enough liquid (beef broth or water, but the broth will add a lot of flavor so that's what I used) to cover all the layers, and set on high for 5 hours, turning to low for the last few hours.  Check about an hour before serving. If it's not thick enough make a past of flour and water, stirring until smooth, and add to the stew, letting it bubble until all the flour pieces are gone.

Serve with garlic bread (great sauce for dipping bread in) and a nice spizy Zin (it seems we always go to the Zin here!)

~Julie