Beef Stew

Beef Stew  

2  tablespoons all-purpose flour

1  pound beef or pork stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes

2  tablespoons cooking oil 

2 ¼  cups cubed, peeled potatoes  

2  cups sliced carrots

1  cup sliced celery

½  cup chopped onion

2  teaspoons instant beef bouillon granules

2  cloves garlic, minced

1  teaspoon dried basil, crushed

½  teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

2 ½  cups vegetable juice  

Directions: 

1.) Place flour in a plastic bag.  Add meat cubes, a few at a time, shaking to coat meat with flour.  In a large skillet brown meat, half at a time, in hot oil.  Drain off fat.

2.) Meanwhile, in the bottom of a 3 1/2 – or 4-quart crockery cooker layer potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion.  Sprinkle with bouillon granules, garlic, basil, and thyme; add meat.  Pour vegetable juice over meat.