A bowl of beef stew is comforting and satisfying and the slow cooker makes it an easy meal to prepare and cook. The preparation for this beef stew takes just minutes. Toss everything in the crock pot and press the start buttonthat's all there is to it. The stew cooks on its own for about 8 hours, so you'll be free to go to work, take care of errands, or put your feet up and relax. Slow cooking is also one of the best ways to cook tougher cuts of beef. The long, slow cooking breaks down the connective tissue, making the meat so tender it almost melts in your mouth. The great flavor comes from an envelope of onion soup mix, along with some worcestershire sauce, a little brown sugar, and bacon. There's no need to brown the beef, but browning can improve the texture and flavor of the stew. If time allows, heat a small amount of cooking oil in a skillet or saut pan over medium heat. Add the beef and cook for about 8 minutes, turning the meat frequently to brown the pieces on all sides.
