Some people (i.e., Paul, Craig, Margie) really enjoy cooking and delight in mastering complicated recipes.

Sadly, I’m not one of them.

However, I really enjoy eating, which necessitates engaging in a bit of cooking – since I live alone with no one to cook for me, and eating out all the time gets expensive.

I can cook – I just don’t enjoy it. So, with rare exception, I look for simple to make foods that please my palate. I do enjoy the “presentation” aspect of meal preparation – creating a beautiful place setting, food arrangement with garnishes, etc. But none of that matters with out the food, I’m afraid.

Now that dreary winter is upon us, I turn to soups and stews. I especially like them because one recipe can last me for several days. I can handle reheating soup. In fact, about this time 2 years ago, I shared my Taco Soup recipe with you. Did you try it?

This week I had a hankering for some hearty beef stew. And I just so happen to have a delicious recipe – even if it does rely and the simplicity and convenience of some canned ingredients. It is really, really good. Especially with a slice of fresh french bread.

Here is the recipe for your winter eating enjoyment.

Hearty Beef Stew

Brown beef with onion. Add remaining ingredients, except potatoes and carrots, and simmer for several hours. Add carrots and potatoes and cook for another hour. Serve with fresh bread.

Sound good? Before I added the potatoes and carrots, I divided the stew and have frozen half of it. So in a couple of weeks when I get another hankering, I can pull it out of the freezer, add potatoes, carrots and cook for an hour – and have my dinner for another 4 days. Yum.

Do you have any good soup or stew recipes to share?