Yummy Crockpot Stew for a Chilly Day

I just love cooking in my crock pot! Found this recipe in our local paper last week and thought I would give it a try. This is what's for dinner tonight!

Beef and Beer Stew

1 pound of bacon, cut into pieces

2 pounds of beef stew meat

1/2 cup of flour, lightly seasoned with salt and pepper

2 large carrots, peeled and diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

8 ounces of fresh or canned mushrooms

1 12ounce bottle of stout beer. You may also use 1 1/2 cups of red wine

1 bay leaf

Salt and pepper to taste

2 large potatoes diced

Half of a large onion, diced

Cook bacon until just crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon pieces, leaving the drippings in the skillet and keeping heated over medium heat. Reserved the bacon for another use.

Place the beef cubes in a large bowl and sprinkle with seasoned flour. Toss to coat beef cubes lightly with the flour.

Working in batches, brown the beef cubes on all sides in the bacon drippings. Remove to the slow cooker.

In the same skillet, saute the onions,carrots, mushrooms and garlic until just lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker.

Add the beer or wine, bay leaf, salt and pepper to the slow cooker and stir. Cover and cook for 7 to 9 hours on the low setting (or 4 hours on the high setting)

This recipe didn't call for potatoes but I added them about 2 hours before serving.

The original recipe calls for serving over cooked noodles or rice or garlic mashed potatoes.

I made up this crow from one of my old patterns yesterday and he is now for sale in my etsy shop. It's been awhile since I've made anything to do with crows and he was always one of my good sellers.

And....I have my Santa Moon Ornies pattern finished for those of you who wanted a pattern!! It's for sale at patternmart, with which I have a link to, over on my right side bar at the top and also in my etsy shop. Will also get it listed for sale in my website.