Rustic Slow Cooker Stew - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 pounds beef stew meat
salt and pepper to taste
2 (14 ounce) cans beef broth
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed beef consomme
2 cups Burgundy wine
1 cup water
1 teaspoon ground mustard seed
1 teaspoon dried thyme
5 red potatoes, cut into chunks
1/2 pound baby carrots
1/2 pound pearl onions, peeled
2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional)
1 tablespoon water (optional)

Preparation

Season the beef with salt and pepper, and place in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until evenly brown, and drain.
In a slow cooker, mix the beef broth, condensed beef consomme, wine, water, mustard, and thyme. Place beef into the liquid, and stir in the potatoes, carrots, and onions.
Cover, and cook 6 hours on Low or 4 hours on High. If you prefer a thick stew, mix the cornstarch and water together and stir into the slow cooker about 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time. Stir occasionally until thickened.