Easy Oven Stew

Easy Oven Stew

1½ lb. chuck steak

4 cups beef broth  

½ tsp. oregano, optional                           

1 tsp. sweet basil

2 to 4 cups canned tomatoes or tomato juice

½ teaspoon salt

1 or 2 garlic cloves, if desired                         

1 large onion, diced           

2 stalks celery, sliced                                 

8 carrots, sliced      

4 - 5 medium potatoes, cubed

½ -1 cup small cubes rutabaga

Put all into roaster. Cover and bake at 325* for 2½ hours.
Thicken, if desired with flour mixed with cold water or tomato juice added for the last hour of cooking.
Just before serving add 1 cup frozen green peas.

Sometimes I cook the meat cubes in beef broth for 1 - 1½ hours before adding veggies then the cooking time can be shorter.