Beef Stew in the Crock pot & Mmmm Brownies =)

We have had a FREEZING COLD winter in Wilmington... I love to spend time outdoors but this winter has definitely kept my fanny inside hibernating! There is nothing like a delicious meal cooking in the crock pot all day to make the house feel "warm." I have tried 3-4 different beef stew recipes and most of them are too much trouble for the way they turn out... I tried this one last weekend on one of those cold football sundays and I was actually very impressed!

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

• 1 1/2 Ibs Potatoes Peeled & Cubed
• 6 Carrots cut into 1 inch slices
• 1 Sweet Onion Coarsely Chopped
• 3 Celery Ribs Coarsely Chopped
• 3 Tbsp Flour
• 1 1/2 Ibs Beef Stew Meat cut into 1 inch cubes
• 3 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
• 1 Can (28oz) Diced Tomatoes, Undrained
• 1 Cup Beef Broth
• 1 tsp Ground Mustard
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Pepper
• 1/2 tsp thyme

1) Layer the vegetables in a 5-qt slow cooker. Coat Beef with Flour evenly. In a large skillet, brown meat in oil. Place over Vegetables.

2) In a large bowl combine tomatoes, broth, mustard, salt, pepper, thyme. Pour over beef. Cover and cook on High 1.5 hours. Reduce heat to Low and cook an additional 7-8 hours or until vegetables are tender.

I have been craving brownies all week... Unfortunately, I did not have my Duncan Hines mix in the pantry so in desperation made some from scratch!

They are actually about the best brownies I have ever had and SUPER EASY to make from scratch.

I'm Craving Chocolate Brownie Recipe:

• 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
• 1 Cup White Sugar
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 Cup All Purpose Flour
• 1/3 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips or chunks

1) Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9 x 9 baking pan.

2) In Medium bowl mix together oil, sugar and vanilla. Beat in eggs. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually stir into the egg mixture until well blended. Stir in Chocolate Chips (if desired). Spread evenly in prepared pan.

3) Bake 25-30 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from edges of pan. Enjoy!