CrockPot Carnival

My friend Connie is hosting a Crock Pot Carnival over at her place today. If you are a fan of crackpot cooking, or think that you could be easily persuaded, jump over and check it out!

We are huge proponents of slow cooker meals. It leaves my attention to be on the children at that special hour of the day. My collection of recipes isn't huge, but the handful I do have completely made the cut. They are all favorites, and I love when all the little people at the table ask for seconds!!

Today, I am sharing one of our absolute faves: Crock Pot Pork Stew. It makes the house smell SO yummy! Oh, and it tastes delectable!

Ingredients

For the Pork -
1 to 1 1/2 pound boneless pork, cut into cubes
2 tsp olive oil (or whatever oil you prefer to cook with)
1 cup of flour
1/4 teaspoon each of
salt
pepper
onion salt
garlic salt

For the stew -
at least 2 pounds of potatoes cut into chunks (we use red potatoes and lots of them)
at least 4 carrots cut into chunks (we use way more of these, too, as my kids love carrots)
32 oz of chicken broth
1 whole dry bay leaf
1/2 onion (chopped, or just used dried minced onions)
1 1/2 Lowry's seasoning salts (or whatever your favorite seasoning salt is)
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup water
Salt and Pepper to taste

To Prepare

Put potatoes, carrots, and the chicken broth into the crock pot.

Heat 1 tsp of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. While it is heating, toss about half the pork in a ziploc baggie with flour until well covered. When the skillet is hot, put your floured pork in the pan and season with salt, pepper, onion salt, and garlic salt. Cook until pork starts to brown a bit.

Transfer the browned pork to the slow cooker and then repeat the process with the other half of the pork. Add the onion, bay leaf, and seasoning salt.

Cook on low for about six hours, or until pork is done and veggies are tender.

Combine cornstarch and water, and stir into the stew. If the stew thickens immediately, season to taste and serve anytime. Otherwise, turn heat to high and cook stew for an additional 30 minutes.