Ready for some Crockpot Fun? Here's today's experiment, happily bubbling away for the past few hours: Beef Barley Stew.

about a pound of stew beef, cut in chunks.
a bag of stewing vegetables, if available, otherwise any favored vegetable medley that seems like it would play well with beef.
5 cups of beef broth/stock
3/4 cup pearl barley
a pinch of garlic powder. By which I refer to the actual powder/granulated garlic product, not the garlic flavored salt.
half a cup of chopped bell pepper
basil and thyme, to taste.

Combine in crockpot, stir once or twice to mix it up, cook on slow for 9-10hours or high for 6. I chose the "high" option because everything came from the deep freeze and I started this at 1030 this morning.

In the past I've economized on the stew beef by looking for a cheap discount steak. Sometimes I can get them on the last chance discount, use/freeze date of the same or next day, and saved a dollar more per pound than official stew beef. Sure, I can chop it up with a big knife myself and save the money. Remember: keep your knives sharp, your work surfaces sanitary, and wash your hands often when working with raw meats.

Salmonella and other nasties are everything they're rumored to be. I'll take that as true. I have no wish to experiment on it.