Delicious Oven-Baked Beef Stew - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 tablespoons bacon grease or 4 tablespoons oil
2 lbs beef stew meat
1 teaspoon seasoning salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes (undrained)
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional or taste)
1 cup low sodium beef broth (can use water but broth is better)
3 tablespoons dry tapioca
1 tablespoon beef bouillon powder
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons sugar
3 large thick carrots, peeled and cut onto 1-inch pieces
1 large celery (sliced into 3/4-inch pieces) (optional)
3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 large onion, coarsly chopped
10 -15 small fresh button mushrooms
1 slice bread (broken into very small pieces)

Preparation

Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish or an oval casserole dish.
In a small bowl combine seasoned salt, black pepper and garlic powder.
Place the meat in a bowl.
Sprinkle the spices over meat, then using clean hands toss until well combined.
In a skillet heat bacon grease or oil over medium-high heat.
Add in the seasoned beef (in batches) and brown well on all sides.
Remove the beef to a large bowl.
Add in the undrained tomatoes, crushed chili flakes, beef broth, tapioca, beef bouillon, Worcestershire sauce and sugar; mix to combine.
Add in carrots, celery (if using) potatoes and small button mushrooms and the bread cubes; toss to combine.
Season with more ground black pepper if desired.
Transfer to the baking dish.
Bake at 375 degrees F for about 2 hours or until the meat and veggies are tender.