Beef Stew with Bacon, Onion, and Sweet Potatoes

I've been meaning to share this recipe for awhile now. I actually found it through a blog reader who has a recipe blog. It is my FAVORITE! Some may say that stew season is over, but I disagree. Anything that can be cooked in the crockpot (and not the oven, thus heating the entire house) is worthy to be cooked any time of the year. We use pastured meats and homemade broth which only adds to the flavor. This recipe fills an average size crockpot so it's also great for having company. We love it with fresh homemade bread and coleslaw or cheese and mayo sandwiches.

Beef Stew with Bacon, Onion, and Sweet Potatoes

2 lbs. stew beef cut into 1 in. cubes

32 0z. beef broth

3-4 med. sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 in. cubes

2 med. onions chopped

6 slices bacon, diced (I just cut it up with a kitchen scissors)

2 tsp. dried thyme

2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

4 T. cornstarch

~4 T. cold water

Combine all the ingredients in crockpot except sweet potatoes, water, and cornstarch and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Add sweet potatoes a couple of hours before eating (adding them too soon and they get mushy). Then turn off crockpot, remove all liquid and bring to boil over the stove and add cornstarch mixed with cold water and boil again until it thickens. Add thickened broth to crockpot and serve.

I hope your family enjoys this as much as we do. Oh, and grieving mamas - stop over at Ebe's blog here for a great post on spiritual stillbirth. It nearly brought me to tears - in a good way!