Saucy Beef with a Twist

By luvmybuttonsnbows

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 pound beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 5 medium carrots, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 medium parsnips, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
• 12 ounces boiling onions, peeled and halved
• 1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1 14-ounce can beef broth
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
• thyme, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup almond- or pimiento-stuffed green olives
• 1/3 cup golden raisins

Preparation

Step 1

Place flour in a plastic bag. Add meat cubes, a few at a time, shaking to coat meat. In a large skillet brown meat, half at a time, in hot oil. Drain off fat.
In a 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker place carrots, parsnips, and onions. Add meat, undrained tomatoes, broth, garlic, bay leaf, dried thyme (if using), and pepper.
Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours. Remove and discard bay leaf. To serve, stir in olives, raisins, and, if using, fresh thyme.