MmmmGood Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Even though it's warming up (finally) here in Idaho, I still crave comfort food.  This was requested by C-man, and he was supposed to get it in the crockpot before school; unfortunately, he takes forever to wake up, so I completed the task after dropping off all the kids.  My house smelled marvelous the whole day!  It was perfect with our whole wheat bread and a salad.

MmmGood Slow Cooker Beef Stew

2 pounds beef stew meat, (browned in pan over stove in oil, salt & pepper, then cut in bite size pieces)

*I never use stew meat--I found top loin steaks on sale and used those.
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp pepper
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 celery ribs, sliced
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
6oz can tomato paste
32oz beef broth
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 cups baby carrots carrots
4-5 small red potatoes,cut into bite-sized pieces (about 3 cups)
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon oregano
1 cups frozen peas

1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup water

Directions:

1.  Combine beef, celery, carrots, red onion, potatoes, salt,  pepper, garlic, parsley, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and tomato paste in the crock pot. Cook on LOW for 10 hours or on HIGH for 6-7 hours.  I cooked it on low for 7 hours, panicked when the potatoes weren't soft, and turned it up to high for 2 hours because I'm always nervous like that. 

2.  About 30 minutes before serving, mix the cornstarch and the water together in a small dish and pour into the crockpot. Mix until well combined. This will add a nice thickness to the stew. Next add in your frozen peas. Continue cooking covered for 30 minutes.

Adapted from family fresh meals