Savory Apple Cider Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 1 pound beef stew meat , cut into bite-size pieces
• 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 0.13 teaspoons dried thyme , Optional
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 2.5 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 , Optional
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoons dried thyme , Optional

Instructions

1. 1

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

2. 2

   Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a heavy-bottomed pot. Add beef; cook until browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in apple cider with a wooden spoon while scraping the browned bits of food off the bottom of the pan; reduce heat to medium low, and simmer until beef is tender, about 1 hour.

3. 3

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