Easy slow cooker beef stew recipe
 An easy slow cooker beef stew that's ready when you are. Throw store cupboard ingredients into the slow cooker with some inexpensive braising steak and serve with mash. Each serving (without mash) provides 293 kcal, 34g protein, 13g carbohydrates (of which 13g sugars), 11g fat (of which 4g saturates), 4g fibre and 2.5g salt. 600ml/20fl oz just-boiled water1 beef stock cube2 tbsp tomato purée1 tbsp yeast extract900g/2lb good-quality braising steak, trimmed and cut into roughly 4cm/1½in chunks100g/3½oz smoked bacon lardons, or sliced smoked back bacon2 onions, thinly sliced4 carrots (about 400g/14oz), peeled and cut into roughly 3cm/1¼in chunks4 celery sticks, trimmed and cut into roughly 3cm/1¼in lengths3 tbsp plain flour (25g/1oz)1 tsp flaked sea salt, plus extra to season1 tsp dried mixed herbs1 bay leaf (dried or fresh)ground black peppermashed potatoes, to serve 600ml/20fl oz just-boiled water 1 beef stock cube 2 tbsp tomato purée 1 tbsp yeast extract 900g/2lb good-quality braising steak, trimmed and cut into roughly 4cm/1½in chunks 100g/3½oz smoked bacon lardons, or sliced smoked back bacon 2 onions, thinly sliced 4 carrots (about 400g/14oz), peeled and cut into roughly 3cm/1¼in chunks 4 celery sticks, trimmed and cut into roughly 3cm/1¼in lengths 3 tbsp plain flour (25g/1oz) 1 tsp flaked sea salt, plus extra to season 1 tsp dried mixed herbs 1 bay leaf (dried or fresh) ground black pepper mashed potatoes, to serve Method Pour the just-boiled water into a heatproof measuring jug, add the stock cube, tomato purée and yeast extract. Stir well until the cube has dissolved and set aside. Put the beef, bacon and vegetables in a slow cooker, sprinkle over the flour and add the salt, herbs and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Toss together. Add the stock mixture and stir well. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 8–10 hours, until the beef and vegetables are tender. Serve the beef stew with mashed potatoes. Pour the just-boiled water into a heatproof measuring jug, add the stock cube, tomato purée and yeast extract. Stir well until the cube has dissolved and set aside. Pour the just-boiled water into a heatproof measuring jug, add the stock cube, tomato purée and yeast extract. Stir well until the cube has dissolved and set aside. Put the beef, bacon and vegetables in a slow cooker, sprinkle over the flour and add the salt, herbs and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Toss together. Add the stock mixture and stir well. Put the beef, bacon and vegetables in a slow cooker, sprinkle over the flour and add the salt, herbs and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Toss together. Add the stock mixture and stir well. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 8–10 hours, until the beef and vegetables are tender. Serve the beef stew with mashed potatoes. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 8–10 hours, until the beef and vegetables are tender. Serve the beef stew with mashed potatoes. Recipe tips Beef shin or beef brisket will also work in this stew. You can pack the slow cooker the night before and keep it in the fridge, but you must add cooled beef stock instead of hot. Take the packed slow cooker out of the fridge for 30 minutes before putting it on to reduce the risk of cracking the dish. The stew will take 10 hours if started from cold.