It has been way too long since I dusted of the crockpot and had dinner waiting for me when I come home.
I had forgotten how much I love crock pot cooking. I started scouring the blogs and mags for healthy, delicious, crock pot recipes. I stipulate healthy because many recipes can add sour cream or cans of Cream of Mushroom soup- which can be quick- but so is a heart-attack.
I spotted a recipe for Provençal Beef Stew in Cooking Light magazine last month that looked right up my French-lovin' alley.
And since warmer weather is coming, I figured this might be the last opportunity until the fall, to make a beef stew- I had to do it now.
Ladies and Gents- I give you Provençal Beef Stew:
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 medium onions, each cut into 8 wedges
- 8 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1/4 cup dry red wine (I like Côte du Rhone)
- 1 cup fat-free, less-sodium beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 bay leaves
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 3 cups (1-inch) slices zucchini
- 2 cups (1-inch) slices carrots (I used whole baby carrots)
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Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle beef with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; dredge in flour. Add beef to pan; sauté 2 minutes, browning on all sides.
Place beef in an electric slow cooker. Add onions and garlic to pan; sauté 5 minutes. Add wine to pan, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Place onion mixture in cooker.
Add broth, tomato paste, bay leaves, thyme, and tomatoes to cooker; top with zucchini and carrots. Cover and cook on LOW 8 hours or until beef is tender.
Stir in remaining 1 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Discard bay leaves and thyme sprigs.
Serve this with the same Côte du Rhone used in the stew and a nice crusty French Baguette.
Now, seriously folks, it can't get any easier or tastier than that without hiring your own personal chef!!
Bon Appetit!
What are some of your favorite crock pot recipes?
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