STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

here's what i do:

get about a pound of stew meat. cook it on the stove with a little oil (i use enova) until it's browned. then, either add your next ingredients to that pot or switch it to the crockpot.

add 1 packet of onion soup (lipton's works great) mix, 4-5 potatoes, 2 large carrots, 1/2 an onion and whatever else you like in your stew. i tend to toss in whatever i have laying around. i've made it with green pepper, celery, corn and broccoli. add water and/or vegetable broth. add salt and pepper. i have a bag of dried vegetable soup mix that i got at a whole food store (in the bulk food section) and i put 1 or 2 tablespoons of that in there too, toward the end of the cooking. the longer you let it cook, the better it is, so try to leave it simmer for several hours. you could get the ingredients together in the morning and let it go all day while your at work or whatever. this pot would give my family (3 people) 2+ meals. right before serving, i like to add dumplings. here's the recipe i use:

3 tbsp. shortening

1 1/2 c. flour

1 tbsp. dried parsley flakes, if desired

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp salt (i never put that much)

3/4 c. milk

mix flour, parsley, baking powder and salt. add shortening using pastry blender or fork until it's in small crumbs. stir in milk. drop dough by spoonfuls into boiling stew. (be careful of splashes) cook uncovered for 10 minutes. cover and cook 10 minutes longer. serve.