Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup chicken broth

1- 10.5 oz can condensed French Onion soup

1 cup water

3 Tbsp tomato paste

1 Tbsp soy sauce

3 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes, excess fat trimmed

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 1/2 pounds baby potatoes, scrubbed and cut in quarters

1 medium onion, chopped

3 medium carrots, peeled, cut into large chunks (I used a few baby carrots instead)

2 cups frozen peas

additional salt and pepper, to taste

1/4 cup potato flakes (instant mashed potato), as need to thicken stew (I mashed a few of the potatoes used in the stew)

Instructions:

1.  Add chicken broth, onion soup, water, tomato paste, and soy sauce into bowl of slow cooker.  Mix to break up tomato paste.

2.  In a large bowl, season beef with salt and pepper.  Mix to combine.

3.  Add seasoned beef, potatoes, onion, and carrots to slow cooker.  Cover with lid and cook on high for 6-7 hours until the beef is tender.

4.  Before serving, add frozen peas and allow to cook for 5-8 minutes.  Stir in 1/4 cup potato flakes (or mash a few of the potatoes you have been cooking) to thicken soup.  Add additional potato flakes 1 tablespoon at a time to achieve desired thickness.  Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

Freezes great!!!