Apple Cider Stew

Ingredients

• 1 pound beef stew meat, cut into bite-size pieces
• 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 2 1/2 cups apple cider
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 3 potatoes, chopped
• 2 small Fuji apples – peeled, cored, and chopped
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup water
• 1 stalk celery, chopped (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Directions

Combine the beef stew meat with the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, the black pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon thyme in a bowl; toss to coat evenly.

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a pot; cook the stew meat in the hot oil until completely browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Pour the apple cider over the beef, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer the mixture until the beef is tender, about 1 hour.

Add the carrots, potatoes, apples, onion, water, celery, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon thyme to the pot; continue cooking at a simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes more.