Auntie Sue's Delicious Baked Beef Stew

You know, I remember when Auntie Sue served me this. I was SO beyond partial to my mother's recipe, I thought, honestly, how good could this be. After one bite I looked at auntie sue lovingly and said, please dont tell my mom but.. this is better than hers. I think Auntie Sue squealed on me. >.< or i let it slip once in conversation with my mom. The truth be said, i love both recipes equally. If you are on a diet though, and want to be naughty, but not 100%, this would be a GREAT recipe to be naughty with. All the fresh vegetables, there is no extra salt added or really needed, and you can skim the fat off the top from the meat when the stew is done. And the V8 juice is a plus!!!

Stew Meat (2-3 pounds)

2 pounds potatoes, cubed, skin can be left on or peeled

2 large onions, chopped

1 package Frozen Green Beans (optional)

1 package whole button mushrooms, cleaned and stems removed

1 bag of baby carrots

5-6 stalks of celery, chopped ( optional)

Non- Pearl Instant Tapioca (like Kraft Minute Tapioca)

2 Large Bottles of V-8 Vegetable Juice (your going to use about 1 1/2.. or all depending on how many ingredients you add)

Aluminum foil

Large Roasting pan or casserole dish with a lid.
Pre heat oven to 325 degrees

In a big roasting pan throw meat in and a couple of hand fulls of the Instant Tapioca to lightly coat the meat, mix together. Meat needs to be coated, but you should still be able to see the meat after coating, were not breading this to deep fry it, the object is to thicken the sauce as it cooks. Throw everything else in, mix it up, pour V8 juices over, enough to cover it all. Then cover the roasting pan or casserole dish with aluminum foil, very tightly, then place the lid on top. (if you do not have a lid, thats okay, just make sure the aluminum foil is placed very tightly on top) Place your stew dish on top of a cookie sheet* and place in a 325 degree oven for 4 1/2 to 5 hours. It is done when the gravy has thickened slightly, and the veggies and beef are fork tender.

*If you do not have a tray or cookie sheet to put your stew dish on while cooking, line the bottom of your oven before heating it with aluminum foil.. this dish tends to bubble over a little while cooking.*