Company Beef Stew - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 lb. beef chuck or round steak, cut into chunks
2 Tbsp. oil
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. white pepper
1 c. each: beef broth and water
broccoli spears (optional)
1 green pepper, sliced
1 bay leaf, crushed
2 to 4 whole cloves
dash of dried thyme leaves
4 carrots, peeled, sliced and cut
6 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
2 onions, sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced

Preparation

In Dutch oven, brown meat a little at a time in oil.
Discard excess fat.
Add salt and pepper.
Stir in beef broth and water. Bring to a boil.
Add bay leaf and cloves.
Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until meat is almost tender, about 1 1/4 hours.
Add thyme.
Add vegetables.
Cook for another 20 to 30 minutes, until vegetables are tender-crisp and meat tests done.
Serve piping hot.