Apple cider+beef stew=heaven

Do the happy dance... It's fall!!  This is my second favorite time of year after the holidays.  I love when the nights get colder, the days are crisper and brighter, and my cookbooks come out of hibernation again.  This past sunday i treated my family to one of their all time favorite fall dinners... Cider Beef Stew.  I have been making this recipe since I was given the cookbook for Christmas in 1999.
Here is the recipe:

Apple Cider Beef Stew

2lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

3 cups apple cider

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

2 teaspoons salt, optional

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 medium carrots, cut into 3/4" peices
3 celery ribs, cut into 3/4" pieces
2 medium onions, cut into wedges
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water
In a dutch oven, brown beef in oil; drain. Add cider, vinegar, salt if desired, thyme and pepper; bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/4 hours. Add potatoes, carrots, celery and onions; return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes or until beef and vegetables are tender. In a separate bowl combine flour and water until smooth; stir into stew. Bring to a boil; boil and stir for 2 minutes. Yield: 8 one-cup servings. 315 calories per serving.

And some pictures because i love to share like that...

mmmmmm...meat...

Browned beef swimming in cider

 I have to insert right here that this does kind of smell funky while it's cooking!  Don't let this turn you off, it does get better and tastes incredible when it's done!

All the ingredients minus meat and veggies

Veggies waiting to be chopped

oh this looks so good already!

waiting for scraps... poor doggy, she will be waiting quite a while for those...

Finished products after several bowls were taken out.  Delicious!

I served this with some crescent rolls.  Hubby actually turned off the Patriots game to come sit down and eat with us!!  This recipe is such a hit with my family.  We actually have to hoard our own leftovers.  I was able to snag some the next day which was kind of amazing for me. =]

Try this recipe out, you won't be disappointed!!