RECIPE: Hungarian Goulash (stew)

At a family gathering today, a dear friend was chatting with me about the challenge of cooking healthy in a slow cooker. I hopped right up on my soapbox and told her that it was just as easy to cook a healthy meal in the crock as it is to cook an unhealthy one (not that I don't LOVE them both). There are numerous websites dedicated to eating healthy. Poke around and look for healthy recipes.... then convert them to work in your slow cooker. This recipe was originally written for a stove top. With just a few small tweaks, this one works extremely well in the slow cooker, tastes terrific, and is not bad for you!!! Enjoy!

2 lbs. stew beef

1 tbs. paprika
1/4 tsp. salt
Black pepper, to taste
1 large onions, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 (14oz.) can diced tomatoes
1.5 cups low sodium beef broth
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. minced garlic
2 bay leaves
1-3 tbs cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (increase for a thicker stew)
2 tbs chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried parsley)

• Brown beef in skillet to seal in flavor
• Combine all ingredients in slow cooker (except cornstarch/water)
• Cook on LOW for 7 hours
• Discard the bay leaves
• Skim fat if needed
• Add the cornstarch mixture to the stew and cook on high until slightly thickened, 10 to 15 minutes

Serve over low fat wheat egg noodles or rice.

ENJOY!