Beef Stew

This is a great mommy friendly recipe, a little preperation then in the crock pot or oven it goes to cook itself!

2 lbs. lean stew beef, cut into bite size pieces
4-5 medium red potatoes, chopped
4-5 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
1 white onion, chopped
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
2-12 oz. cans or 3 cups vegetable juice cocktail (like V8)
1-10 oz. can condensed tomato soup
10 oz. water (I just used the tomato can full)
1 tsp. basil
2 beef bouillon cubs, or 2 tbs. beef base
1/2 tsp. fresh black pepper

There are two ways to cook this:
Combine in an oven-safe pot that has an oven-safe lid, and cook on 350 for 3 hours.
OR,
put all ingredients into your crockpot and cook on low for 9-10 hours, or on high for 5-6.
ENJOY. :)

Thanks to Kristi Lydon (Washington)  for sharing with us!