Crockpot plain and thick beef stew

This is your basic plain, great tasting, thick winter stew.

3 medium potatoes (I used about 6 small red potatoes with skin left on chopped ) Chop to size

you prefer .

2 lbs beef stew meat

4 medium carrots chopped

3 celery ribs sliced.

2 medium onions chopped

2 cups of low sodium V8 juice

1 cup water

1/3 cup quick cooking tapioca

1 tab. sugar

salt according to your preference

1 tsp. dried basil

1/2 tsp black pepper

add salt to taste

Put the chopped potatoes, carrots, and celery in a pot and simmer for 15 minutes on stove.

Then place the beef in the crockpot--and put chopped onions on top along with the drained parboiled veggies. In a bowl combine the water, v8 juice,tapioca, sugar , salt, basil and pepper. Pour over the veggies. Cover and Cook on low for about 9 hours or until meat and veggies are tender. I sometimes cook it on low for 2 hours and then on high 3 hours--if I am home.

The tapioca thickens the sauce as it cooks---so this is so easy and good. Great with home made bread! Makes about 6 hardy servings.