Simple Beef Stew

Sometimes the most comforting foods can be the simplest to make. I had stew meat in the freezer. I didn't have carrots or whole potatoes on hand, but I did have mashed potato flakes that the hubby bought when he went shopping last week. He also got some of that macaroni in the blue box! I know! Anyway! I dressed it up with sweet peas that I had on hand. My son rolled his eyes when his girlfriend, Aly mixed the stew, potatoes and peas all together, but I like it that way also! To each his/her own!

1-2 pounds of beef sirloin, cubed
flour
salt, pepper and garlic powder
1-2 tablespoons oil
1 pkg onion soup mix
beef broth or water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Mix about 1 cup of flour with a generous amount of salt, pepper and garlic powder. Coat the cubes of beef with the flour mixture. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Brown on all sides. If there is oil left in the pan, move the meat to the side and add a little flour to absorb the oil. Stir until smooth. Add enough broth/water to cover the meat. Stir in the onion soup mix. Cover and put the skillet in the oven. Cook for about 45 minutes or until the meat can be cut with a fork. Remove from the oven and place back on the stove top. If the gravy is watery, make a slurry of water and flour (about 2 tablespoons flour and just enough water to get rid of lumps) and add to the pan a little at the time, stirring constantly. Bring the stew to a boil. Serve over rice or mashed potatoes. Enjoy!