Busy Day Stew

Just add a loaf of good crusty bread to round out this warming one-dish dinner !

1 1/2 lbs. boneless cubed stewing beef, trimmed

2 tbs. flour

2 tbs. oil

1 env. (1 oz.) onion soup mix, from 2 oz. pkg.

2 1/4 cups canned tomatoes with juice

4 carrots, cut into chunks

1 1/2 cups frozen peas

• In plastic food storage bag, shake beef cubes with flour until meat id well coasted. In large pot heat oil on medium-high heat. Add beef, in batches, and saute until browned, removing as it browns. Return all beef cubes with accumulated juices to pot. 
• Combine soup mix and 1 cup water. Pour over beef. Bring to boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook slowly until beef is almost tender, 40 minutes to 1 hour, 15 minutes
• Add tomatoes and carrots; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until vegetables and meat are tender, 25-35 minutes. Add peas during last 5 minutes of cooking. If mixture becomes too thick, add extra water.