Beef Stew with Dumplings

Hearty stew with light dumplings.

• 3 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 lb fresh green beans,cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon celery seed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoons pepper
• 3 tablespoons tapioca
• 2 cups water

• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon shortening
• 1 tablespoon parsley flakes
• 1/2 cup milk

1. In pot place meat, onion, green beans, bay leaf, celery seed, salt, pepper, tapioca pudding add water.
2. Place pot on base, cover, and simmer at Setting #3 ½ (midway between Setting #3 and #4) for 7 to 8 hours.
3. One hour before serving, increase heat to Setting # 5. Into small bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening until fine particles form. Add parsley flakes and milk. Stir with a fork just until combined.
4. Thirty minutes before serving remove bay leaf and drop batter evenly into 8 dumplings on top of stew. Cover and steam for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to Setting # 2 for serving.

Makes 8 servings.

1. Into small bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening until fine particles form. Add parsley flakes and milk. Stir with a fork just until combined.
2. Thirty minutes before serving drop batter evenly into 8 dumplings on top of stew/soup/gravy. Cover and steam for 30 minutes.