Mertie's Beef Stew

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                 

Mertie was my grandmother. She taught me to cook! I miss her so much and I can still taste her beef stew!

          

           2 -3 lbs stew meat, cut into big bite size pieces

           (My grandmother used beef stew with bones) 

           3 -4 lbs potatoes, peeled and cut into big bite size pieces

           1 bag carrot, peeled and cut into big bite size pieces

           1 bunch celery, cut into big bite size pieces(optional)

           1 clove garlic, chopped fine(optional)

           1 large onion

           ½ small bottle ketchup (1-1 1/2 c)

           salt and pepper

      Directions:

If it is cool or cold weather, it is best to put this in the oven (or a crock pot) and let cook for a while. Take a large pot (I use a Dutch oven) on med high heat and add 1/2 bottle of ketchup. Fill empty bottle with water and rinse out bottle with it, Pour this water in pot with ketchup. Add carrots, celery, potatoes, garlic and onion. When all of this has been cooking for a 1/2 hour or so, coat meat with flour and brown in large pan with a little oil. Cover with a lid and let this simmer for a few minutes. Meat will be soooooo tender. Add meat mixture (oil, drippings and all) to the veggies. Mix well. Add the salt and pepper. Let this cook until it is thick and the veggies are tender. The “secret" is the ketchup. The stew doesn't taste a thing like ketchup though.