Autumn Beef & Cider Stew

This wonderful beef stew is perfect for Autumn. We found it in an old Idaho Farm Bureau magazine. We have always found it a nice combination of sweet and savory and the sweet potatoes add a little something extra. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

 Prep Time: 20 minutes
 Cook Time: 2 hours
 Servings: 8+

Ingredients:

• (2 lbs.) Beef Stew Meat

• (2-4) Slices of Bacon

• (1 teaspoon) Salt

• (1/2 teaspoon) Pepper

• (1) 10.5oz can of Condensed French Onion Soup

• (1 cup) Apple Cider

• (1 lb.) Sweet Potatoes, peeled, cut into 1" pieces (about 3 cups)

• (1) Medium Onion, sliced long and thinly

• (1/2 lb.) Sliced Mushrooms

• (1/4 cup) Dried Cranberries (optional)

Directions:

Cook bacon until it is crispy.

1. Brown (Sear) the beef cubes in the bacon grease and season with the salt and pepper. 

2. Break up the bacon into pieces.

3. Put the beef, bacon, condensed soup and apple cider in a pot and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour & 45 minutes. 

4. In the mean time:

1. Slice your onion. Sauté the onion and mushrooms. 

2. Cut up the sweet potatoes.

1. Add the sweet potatoes, onion, mushrooms, and cranberries (if desired). 

2. Simmer for an additional 20-30 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are soft.