Toss It Together Stew

• 1 lb. cubed stew meat -- choose beef, pork, lamb or game
• 1 T. olive oil
• 1 envelope onion soup mix
• 1 c. baby carrots
• 1 c. frozen green beans
• 2 cloves garlic -- minced
• 1 large onion -- diced
• 1 green pepper -- diced
• 1/4 c. apple juice
• 1 T. red wine vinegar

In a large skillet, brown the stew meat in the olive oil. Sprinkle the soup mix with the meat, remove from the heat and set aside.

In a large slow cooker, arrange the vegetables in layers, starting with the carrots and ending with the pepper. Add the meat and seasoning to the top. Combine the apple juice and vinegar and pour into the slow cooker. Place the lid on the cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 7-9 hours. Serve over hot, buttered noodles or potatoes.

• Yields: 6-8 servings
• Preparation Time: 15 minutes plus cooking time