Asian-Style Beef Stew

It is M & M Monday; I cooked for the kids as well as us.  It is easiest for me to transport soups or crock pot type meals for the hour + drive.  I have a feeling you may look at the list of ingredients and say, 'no way, too much bother'.  This came out of a Crock Pot Cook Book. This is a dump recipe.  Other than a little chopping and some measuring, there is little prep to get this together.  15 minutes at most.  The asian flavors were subtle.  I would probably add a little more oompf.  Maybe a 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper and a splash of sesame oil would give it that take out taste we all enjoy.

Asian-Style Beef Stew
printable recipe

2 chopped onions
3 T. Tomato Paste
2 T. vegetable oil
1 T. ground Ginger (I am sorry I didn't use fresh)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 c. beef broth
3/4 c. chicken broth-why both? no clue, go for one or the other, I doubt much of a difference
8 oz. baby carrots-see you don't even have to cut them
1/4 c. soy sauce
2 T. Minute Tapioca-I couldn't figure this out, so I looked it up as to why.  It is a thickener.  As this slow cooks it thickens the broth into a gravy.  It has no taste.  Way easier than the corn starch slurry normally used.
2 Bay Leaves
salt and pepper
3 lbs. Beef, cut into bite size pieces-3 lbs. seemed like a lot to me.  I did 2 and added extra carrots :)
6 oz snow peas (about 3 cups) trimmed
1 can sliced water chestnuts drained
4 scallions, sliced
1 T. brown sugar

Ok STOP raising your eyebrows.  I told you there were many ingredients.  But really, you can buy the meat cut up if you like; the carrots are done for you; you could get the onions chopped in the frozen food aisle if you must; you could use jarred chopped garlic-which is actually really handy; and come on, you can slice the scallions!

Mix the onions, oil, tomato paste, garlic and ginger in a microwavable bowl.  Microwave for 2-3 minutes to soften the onions.

Place in the bottom of the crock pot.

Stir (dump) the broths, carrots, soy sauce, tapioca, and bay leaves into the crock pot with the onions.

Season the meat with salt and pepper.
Place in the crock pot.  Give it a simple swirl to wet the meat.

Cook on low for 9 hours or high for 5 hours.
About 15 minutes before serving stir in the brown sugar, water chestnuts, scallions and snow peas, simply to heat through.

Spoon over cooked rice. (Ok I give up.  I have tried to right side up this photo 4 times, turn your head!)

Now really, the ingredient list was longer than the recipe!  This was good.  As I said before I would tweak to bring out more of an asian flavor.  Easy, inexpensive and a tasty weeknight meal.