Savory Cranberry Beef Stew

Name: Savory Cranberry Beef Stew
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 3 h 5 min
Total time: 3 h 25 min
Yield: 10 servings.
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons salt, optional; 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes; 4 bacon strips, cut into 1-inch pieces, optional; 10 small onions; 2 cups cranberry juice, divided; 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth; 4 whole cloves; 1 bay leaf; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram; 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 5 medium carrots, cut into chunks; 5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed; 2 cups frozen peas, thawed

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 3 hours 5 min. YIELD: 10 servings.

Stew is one of my family's favorite dishes. Everyone is surprised that there's cranberry juice in this recipe - it really gives it a unique flavor.

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt, optional
2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
4 bacon strips, cut into 1-inch pieces, optional
10 small onions
2 cups cranberry juice, divided
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth
4 whole cloves
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
5 medium carrots, cut into chunks
5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 cups frozen peas, thawed

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine flour and salt if desired. Place half of the four mixture in large resealable plastic bag. Add beef, a few pieces at a time, and shake to coat. Reserve remaining flour mixture; set aside.
2. Place beef in a Dutch oven. Add bacon if desired. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 30 minutes.
3. Add onions, 1-1/2 cups cranberry juice, broth and seasonings. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour.
4. Add carrots and potatoes; bake 1 hour longer or until meat and vegetables are tender.
5. Combine reserved flour mixture and remaining cranberry juice until smooth; stir into stew. Cover and bake 30 minutes longer. Remove bay leaf. Add peas; return to the oven for 5 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 321 calories, 7g fat (0 saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 231mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 vegetable, 1-1/2 meat.