SLOW COOKER LENTIL-BEEF STEW

Slow Cooker Lentil-Beef Stew image

Provided by Tia Mowry

Time 12h55m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

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2 tablespoons dried basil
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons sea salt
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
4 tablespoons grapeseed oil
5 cups beef broth
2 carrots, sliced
2 stalks celery, diced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 large onions, chopped
2 tomatoes, cored and cut into chunks
1 potato, cut into chunks
1 cup brown lentils
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 teaspoons beef bouillon base
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 sprigs thyme
1 bay leaf

Steps:

For the spice mix: In a small bowl, combine the basil, garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, cumin and oregano. Mix until well blended.
For the stew: Combine the flour with 1 tablespoon of the spice mix. Dredge the beef in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess flour.
Heat 2 tablespoons of the grapeseed oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. In two batches, sear the dredged beef on all sides, adding the remaining 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil before the second batch. Transfer the seared beef to a slow cooker.
Deglaze the saute pan with 1 cup of the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits left in pan; add to the slow cooker. Then, to the slow cooker, add the remaining beef broth and the carrots, celery, garlic, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, lentils, soy sauce, bouillon, pepper flakes, thyme and bay leaf.
Cover and cook on low for 12 hours or on high for 8 hours. Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs before serving.