Simply Beef Stew

I got this recipe from my neighbor. She brought this stew over after I had my baby. It was so simple and delicious. We'll be making it again because my kids loved it! The other great thing was the veggies were in beautiful, big chunks but they were so tender and not crunchy or mushy like in most stews. The key is cooking them separately. Hope you enjoy this simple, yet full of flavor, stew.

from Jean

1 lb ground beef
1 onion, cut up
2 cups cubed potatoes
2 cups carrots, cut in thick circles
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp thyme or oregano (we used thyme)
pepper to taste
1 tsp Worcestershire
1 can tomato soup
Reserved veggie water

Cook hamburger with salt, pepper, and thyme. (Keep hamburger kind of chunky.)

In separate pots, cook potatoes and carrots until almost done. (Cook the onions with the potatoes.)Reserve water from potatoes and carrots.

Add veggies, Worcestershire, tomato soup, and veggie water to hamburger. (You might not need all the veggie water. Add to desired broth consistency.) Simmer for 30 minutes until veggies are fully tender (but not mushy).Serve with breadsticks or saltines.

Oven Stew

from mom

4 or 5 cans of cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
(we just do a couple of each or whatever we have on hand)
2 pkgs Lipton onoin soup mix
4 lbs stew meat (thawed)
1 quart+ water
1 can tomato soup or 1 can whole tomatoes
1/2 cup barley (optional)
2 onions, diced
Desired amount of diced potatoes and carrots
1 to 2 Tbsp tapioca for thickening
Frozen corn, peas, beans (added only 1/2 hour before serving)

Cook in large pot in oven for 4 to 5 hours at 250. Serve.