No sanity. But yummy Veggie Beef Stew

I like this recipe. It's homey but feels healthy because it's jam-packed full of veggies. It's a lot of work, but I've found it to freeze well so I make a big batch. You could add or subtract veggies as you choose, but be brave here! The veggies you aren't as excited about will likely be hidden in all the other good stuff! Oh and the prep takes a while with all the chopping, then it cooks for a while and the longer it sits the better the flavors come together so start this one before you get hungry! In honor of the first pot of the fall season, here ya go.

What I used: (these are approximations, you don't actually have to weigh the veggies)

1 lb beef (I usually go eye-of-round or anything marked "roast"...I'm not butcher case savvy)

2 med. size sweet potatoes

16 oz. potatoes (4 small or 2 large)

2 carrots (about 7 oz., so a bunch of baby carrots)

30 oz beef broth

1 packet McCormick Beef Stew mix

1/3 green pepper

1/3 white or yellow onion

1/2 of a small-med butternut squash

1-2 cups fresh or frozen green beans (if you have to use cans add them in the last 5-10 mins)

any other veggies you like! I've considered corn (same as green beans) and broccoli

1. Clean and chop carrots, potatoes, and butternut squash into bite size pieces. Set aside.

2. Trim and cut beef into bite size pieces. Season beef with salt and pepper. Heat a large pot and brown beef pieces in this pot.

3. Add beef broth and 1 cup of water.

4. Bring to a low boil. Add carrots. Carrots seem to take the longest to cook.

5. Clean and chop sweet potatoes into bite size pieces. Set aside.

6. Add potatoes and butternut squash to pot. Add seasoning packet as well, and more water if needed. You can bring up the boil a bit as it will cool back down every time you add new veggies.

7. Clean and chop pepper and onions into bit size pieces. Add sweet potatoes, peppers, and onions to pot. I know the sweet potatoes seem really hard and you think they should go in with the carrots, but trust me they cook fast and then sort of turn to mush. This isn't a bad thing and seems to help thicken the stew, but adding them late will leave some of them intact.

8. Finally add the green beans (and any additional frozen veggies). Let this simmer down until the stew is someone thick. Left overs will get thicker. Don't simmer too long or all your veggies will get soft. Check the potatoes once in a while- they are a good indicator. You'll want to stop before they are mashed potato soft.

Enjoy!