I wonder who came up with the term comfort food?  It perfectly describes the way food makes you feel.  It warms your belly and makes you feel all cozy.  This stew is comfort food in every sense.  Maybe it has special meaning because a very sweet lady from church made it for us when we had our first baby.  We came home from the hospital in an ice storm and she had a big pot waiting for us on the stove.

Later she gave me the recipe.  It’s unlike any stew I’ve had before.  The ingredients are simple and the flavors are bright.  The beef doesn’t get bogged down with heavy bland flavor.  As we transition to fall, make a big pot of this stew, get yourself a crusty loaf of bread and get cozy!

Beef Cider Stew

(serves 6-8)

from Linda Richardson

2 large onions, diced

3T. butter

2 lbs. beef, cut in small chunks (I used tri-tip)

3T. flour

2t. salt

1/4t. pepper

1t. thyme

2 cups apple cider

1T. ketchup

3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into small chunks

4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into small chunks

1 1/2c. green beans

Brown onions in butter (in a large stock pot).  Set aside and brown meat in the same pan.  Combine flour, salt, pepper and thyme.  Stir gradually into the meat.  Stir in cider and ketchup.  Add potatoes, carrots and green beans.  Simmer for an hour, or until meat is tender.