Ahhhh, comfort food...

If you're looking for a health conscious recipe, move along to the next blog, there's nothing to see here.
But if you're not, continue reading.
((giggle))
Who wouldn't love a delicious bowl of beef stew on a cold, dreary day?

This Paula Deen recipe is one of my many favorites of hers.

Old-Time Beef Stew
Ingredients
2 pounds stew beef
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups water
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 clove garlic, peeled
1 or 2 bay leaves
1 medium onion, sliced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Dash ground allspice or ground cloves
3 large carrots, sliced
3 ribs celery, chopped
2 tablespoons cornstarch

Directions
Brown meat in hot oil. Add water, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, bay leaves, onion, salt, sugar, pepper, paprika, and allspice. Cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours. Remove bay leaves and garlic clove. Add carrots and celery. Cover and cook 30 to 40 minutes longer. To thicken gravy, remove 2 cups hot liquid. Using a separate bowl, combine 1/4 cup water and cornstarch until smooth. Mix with a little hot liquid and return mixture to pot. Stir and cook until bubbly.
Then slather some butter on a slice of homemade bread and enjoy!
NOTE: I tweak it a bit. I double the water and add more cornstarch. I add potatoes and peas. I also chop up the garlic and toss it in.

Now if you will excuse me, I need to put on a pair of stretchy sweat pants. After strapping on the feed bag and digging into this, I'm gonna need 'em.
**burp**

:> )