Mashed Potato Beef Stew

Ingredients:

• Makes 4 to 5 servings
• 1½ pounds lean beef stew meat, cut into chunks
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 (13-ounce) can beef broth (preferably reduced sodium)
• 1 cup water, or as needed
• 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
• 3 small baking potatoes (about 6 ounces each), peeled andcubed
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, herbes de Provence or other herbblend of your choice
• Salt (optional) and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Heat the beef in the olive oil until browned.
2. Sprinkle the flour over the beef and stir, tossing to coat.Stir in the broth, scraping up any bits from the bottom of thepan.
3. Add the remaining ingredients except the salt and thepepper.
4. Partially cover and cook over low heat for 2 to 3 hours, addingmore water if necessary to keep stew from sticking, or until thebeef is tender and the potatoes are soft enough to be mashed intothe gravy.
5. Season with salt and pepper.