Post by @jadesbitesuk

Affordable Slow Cooker Beef Stew 🍲 A proper cosy beef stew that makes a little beef go further. Green lentils add extra heartiness and help create a rich, thick gravy, while the slow cooker does all the hard work. Serves 4 Ingredients- * 400g diced beef * 2 tbsp plain flour * ½ tsp salt * ½ tsp black pepper * 1 tbsp oil, for browning * 1 large onion, diced * 3–4 carrots, chopped * 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped * 2 tbsp tomato purée * 1 tsp dried thyme * 2 bay leaves * 150g green lentils, rinsed * 1 large baking potato, peeled and chopped into chunks * 1,200ml beef stock, plus extra if needed Method- 1. Brown the beef Place the diced beef into a bowl and coat with the flour, salt and black pepper. Heat the oil in a large pan and brown the beef in batches. Remove and set aside. 2. Build the flavour Using the same pan, add the onion and carrots and cook for a few minutes until they begin to soften. Add the garlic, tomato purée and thyme and cook for another minute. 3. Slow cook Return the beef to the pan, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Add the green lentils, bay leaves, chopped potato and beef stock. Stir well. **Important:** The lentils absorb a lot of liquid as they cook, so it's better’to have plenty of liquid than not enough. If you're cooking for longer than the timings below, or your slow cooker tends to cook quite hot, you may need to add extra stock or water during cooking. Slow cooker timings LOW: 7–8 hours HIGH: 4–5 hours The beef should be beautifully tender and the lentils should have helped create a rich, thick gravy. If the stew is thicker than you’d like, stir through a little extra hot stock or water before serving. Remove the bay leaves before serving. Budget tip Adding green lentils is a simple way to make a smaller amount of beef go further, creating a hearty family meal without needing loads of meat. Approximate cost: £6.00–£6.30 total using @tesco British lean diced beef! Around £1.50–£1.60 per portion Much Love, Jade x