Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew

Introduction
The purpose of this Instructable is to show you how to create an easy meal that anyone can make. There are a ton of beef stew recipes out there, but this one is different because it is designed for a college student. In college it can be difficult to eat full nutritious meals. This recipe requires only a short prep time, and you can simply turn it on in the morning and come home to a fully prepared meal.

Technical Ability: No experience required
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours

Step 1: What You Will Need!

Gather:

Ingredients:
1 Medium Onion
1lb Stew Meat
4 Medium Red Potatoes
1 Cup of Carrots
1 Can Cambell's Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Can Cambell's Tomato Soup
Sea Salt Grinder
Peppercorn Grinder

Tools:
1 Potato Peeler
1 Butcher's Knife
1 Rubber Scraper
Crock Pot
Cutting Board
Measuring Cups

Step 2: Chop the Carrots

Coarsely chop carrots into 1/4 inch thick pieces using the butchers knife.

WARNING:Be careful to take your time so that you do not cut your fingers with the knife.

Outcome: When you are done you should have approximately 1/2 a cup of chopped carrots

Step 3: Prepare the Onion

Quarter the onion, and coarsely chop one quarter. Be sure to remove the outer layer of the onion before chopping.

WARNING:Be careful to take your time so that you do not cut your fingers with the knife.

Outcome: You should have approximately 1/2 cup of coarsely chopped onion.

Step 4: Peel the Potatoes

Remove the skins of the red potatoes using the Potato Peeler.

WARNING: Be careful not to cut yourself with the potato peeler. To avoid this, peel away from yourself.

Outcome: You should now have four fully peeled red potatoes.

Step 5: Slice and Quarter the Potatoes

Slice the potatoes into 1/4 inch thick medallions. Quarter the medallions.

Warning: Be careful to take your time so that you do not cut your fingers with the knife.

Outcome: You should now have all of your potatoes prepared.

Step 6: Mix Soups in the Crock Pot

Mix the Cream of Mushroom and the Tomato soups together in the crock pot.

TIP: Use a rubber scraper to get all of the soup out of the can easily

Step 7: Add Water to Crock Pot

Fill one of the empty soup can half full with water and add it to the crock pot.

Caution: If you do not add the water the stew may become too thick. If you add to much water you can just let it cook out.

Step 8: Mix the Water and Soup

Using your rubber scraper, mix the soups and water together in the crock pot until evenly mixed.

Step 9: Add Vegetables

Add your carrots, onion, and potatoes to the crock pot and mix with rubber scrapper until evenly mixed.

Step 10: Add Stew Meat

Add your stew meat to the crock pot and mix evenly.

TIP: If the meat pieces are different sizes, you can cut them with your butcher's knife to make them the same size.

Step 11: Add Salt and Pepper

Season to taste with salt and pepper grinders.

Step 12: Set Crock Pot to Low

Set your crock pot on the low setting and cover with lid.

WARNING:The crock pot will get hot. Avoid touching the sides of it as this may result in burns.

Step 13: Cook for 7 Hours

Cook for seven hours.

Tip: you can stir occasionally, but this isn't necessary

Step 14: Finished Product

Turn the crock pot off, and ladle stew into a bowl.

WARNING: Allow the stew to cool properly before eating. Eating before properly cooled may result in burning your mouth.

Outcome: You have now completed this recipe! Enjoy!

Conclusion:
Now that you have completed this recipe you should enjoy your meal! Any leftovers can be stored in plastic containers and should keep for up to three days in a refrigerator. Make sure to clean all tools and kitchenware used in making this recipe.

WARNING: Allow Crock Pot to cool before cleaning and putting away, as the surface is still hot and can result in burns or fire risk.