CLASSIC BEEF STEW

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp.
• Meanwhile, cut the beef into 2-3 inch cubes. Remove and discard any excess fat as you do.
• Sprinkle the cubes with salt and pepper.
• After you have cooked the bacon and taken it out of the pot, turn the heat up to high and add the beef cubes. DO NOT crowd.
• Brown the beef well, turning as necessary, and turning the heat down if the residue on the bottom of the pan is burning.
• Remove the browned meat to a plate, and continue browning all the remaining cubes.
• Meanwhile, peel the onion and cut into 1/4-inch (or so) slices.
• After browning and removing all of the beef, add the sliced onions.
• Stir to bring up any of the yummy brown bits off the bottom of the pan.
• Lower the heat to medium, and cook onion about 5-10 min, stirring occasionally, or until limp and well browned.
• Heat oven to 300ºF.
• Return the meat to the pan with the onions, along with any of the residual juices that have collected on the plate.
• Add the beef broth and bring to a boil.
• Turn off the heat and cover.
• Place meat in the oven and cook for 2 hours.
• Peel and quarter the potatoes, adding them to the pot as you do.
• Cover the pot and cook for 30 minute.
• Peel and quarter the carrots, slice the mushrooms if you like and are using them; add them to the pan.
• Cover the pot and cook for 20 min more.
• Serve in bowls.