French Country Beef Stew - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 -2 lb stewing beef, cut in 1-inch cubes
1/4 cup flour
2 tablespoons oil
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes
1 (14 ounce) can beef broth
4 -5 medium carrots, pared, cut in 1-inch chunks
2 -3 medium potatoes, pared, cut in 1-inch chunks
3/4 teaspoon thyme
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (optional)
salt and pepper

Preparation

Combine meat and flour in plastic bag; toss to coat evenly.
Brown meat in oil in 6-quart pot. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Add remaining ingredients, except mustard.
Bring to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 1 hour or until beef is tender. Blend in mustard.
Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with warm crusty French bread, if desired.