APPLE CIDER BEEF STEW

2 lbs beef stew meat, cubed
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup flour, divided use
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 carrots, sliced
2 1/2 cups cubed potatoes
2 onions, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 apple, peeled and chopped
2 cups apple cider
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/2 cup cold water

Brown meat in hot oil over medium heat. Drain fat.

Mix together 2 tablespoons flour, thyme, salt and pepper and coat the meat with mixture.

Put carrots, potatoes, onion, celery and apple in crock pot, then add meat. Pour cider and vinegar over meat, do not stir ingredients.

Cook, covered, on LOW for 10 hours.

Turn crock pot to HIGH. Mix 1/2 cup cold water and remaining 1/4 cup flour together until smooth and slowly stir mixture into stew.

Re-cover the crock pot and cook the stew on HIGH for 20 minutes or until thickened.

Source: Rachel Ray