Dotty's Beef Stew

Place meat in the bottom of a pressure cooker. There's no need to brown it, but you may if you wish. (Add 1 T oil if you decide to brown the meat.) Sprinkle with half of the seasonings. Add vegetables. Do not fill the pressure cooker more than 2/3 full. Sprinkle with remaining seasonings. Heat cooker and cook 10 minutes with pressure regulator rocking slowly (times vary with your pressure cooker, check it's directions). Cool pressure cooker immediately by placing it under running water. Taste broth and adjust seasonings. I don't usually thicken the broth, but you may if you wish. To thicken, add 1 T flour to a 1/4 c water and shake in a shaker or stir into a paste. Drain broth from stew and add flour and water to broth. Cook on stove until thickened, stirring consatantly. When I thicken this, I adjust seasonings after thickened.

Substitution suggestions:

• Any of the ingredients may be replaced or eliminated, except there needs to be some liquid and some form of seasoning.

• Try substituting other kinds of meat (lamb, chicken, etc or eliminating the meat).

• Add other vegetables or replace those listed above (green beans, brussel sprouts, apple, etc. - may use frozen vegatables if small pieces, just be sure the pressure cooker is not more than 2/3 full). To use canned vegetables (except tomatoes), add them after the stew has cooked.

• Replace the canned tomatoes with 1/2 cup wine, vegetable broth, bullion or water. (There needs to be some liquid. The vegetables will add more liquid as they cook.)

• Try varing the seasoning: use other prepared seasoning combinations or season with one or more of the following basil, oregano, sage, thyme, garlic, parsley, pepper, etc. Taste before adding any salt.

• This stew may also be cooked in a crock pot, the oven or the microwave - see your appliance's directions or a similiar recipe for cooking time. Other cooking methods may require more liquid.