AUTUMN SLOW-COOKED BEEF STEW

Autumn Slow-Cooked Beef Stew image

If any dish could taste like a holiday, it's this one with beef, pears, walnuts and sweet dried apricots. We recommend a leafy salad and rolls to complete the masterpiece. -Amy Dodson, Durango, Colorado

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 6h35m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless beef chuck roast, cubed
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups dry red wine or reduced-sodium beef broth
1 cup reduced-sodium beef broth
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon rubbed sage
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
2-1/2 pounds small red potatoes (about 20)
4 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large onion, halved and sliced
2 medium pears, quartered
1 cup walnut halves
1 cup dried apricots
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons cold water

Steps:

Sprinkle beef with garlic salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches. Remove with a slotted spoon; transfer to a 6-qt. slow cooker., In a large bowl, combine wine, broth, garlic, sage, thyme and salt; pour over beef. Top with potatoes, carrots, onion, pears, walnuts and apricots. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until meat is tender; skim fat., In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth; gradually stir into stew. Cook, covered, on high until sauce is thickened, 20-30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 522 calories, Fat 23g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 74mg cholesterol, Sodium 394mg sodium, Carbohydrate 51g carbohydrate (17g sugars, Fiber 8g fiber), Protein 29g protein.