This is one of our favorite Winter Slow-Cooker recipes. It is a spicy beef stew that will definitely warm you up on a cold day.

Adapted from the Gooseberry Patch cookbook.

** 8 servings **

2 lbs. lean stew meat, cubed

10 slices of bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled, drippings reserved

1 c. yellow onion, diced

1/2 c. green bell pepper, diced

1/2 c. celery, diced

1/2 c. carrots, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

28-oz. can diced or chopped tomatoes with liquid

2 15-oz. cans kidney beans, drained

8-oz. can tomato sauce

2 T. fresh parsley, finely chopped

2 T. chili powder

1 t. salt

1/2 t. cumin

1/8 t. pepper

1 dash ‘Texas Pete’ or hot sauce of your choice (optional)

Sear the beef cubes on all sides in the reserved bacon drippings; add a little canola oil if necessary. Combined

browned beef, bacon and remaining ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 10 hours or until

beef is tender. Great served with cornbread muffins or bread sticks.

Thyme Management Personal Chef Service will be hosting a wine tasting and jewelry show on Thursday, February 28th. The wine tasting will be presented by a wine consultant from “Wines for Humanity”. A portion of the proceeds of each bottle of wine sold will benefit “A Child’s Place” in Charlotte, NC to help our community’s homeless children. For more information, please visit www.winesforhumanity.com and www.achildsplace.org

Come and enjoy some delicious food prepared by Thyme Management PCS, a variety of fine wines and champagne, and some beautiful jewelry crafted by Why Knot Beading www.whyknotbeading.com. Join us at 10529 Sutherby Dr. 28277 and bring a friend! The wine tasting will begin at 7:00, and you are welcome to shop and taste until 9:30. Hope to see you there.