Old-Fashioned Beef Stew Ingredients: 2 Tbsp vegetable oil 1/2 cup Bisquick baking mix (regular or low-fat) 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1" pieces 1/4 tsp ground black pepper 2 cups hot water 3 med potatoes, pared and cut into 1" cubes 1 med onion, sliced and cut into pieces (~1 cup) 4 carrots, pared and sliced into 1/4" slices 1 cup cabbage, torn into bit-sized pieces 2 tsp beef bouillon granules 1 cup hot water 1 bay leaf, if desired Heat oil in Dutch oven until hot. Mix baking mix and pepper; coat beef. Cook and stir beef in hot oil until well browned. Add 2 cups hot water. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 2 hours, stirring occasionally (I generally add an additional cup of hot water about half way through the simmering time). Meanwhile, put cut vegetables and 1 cup water in covered casserole. Microwave on high for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Add partially-cooked veggies (and the liquid) to the beef and gravy mixture, in addition to the bouillon, the additional cup of hot water and bay leaf. Heat to boiling; cover and simmer at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally. As always, the longer it all simmers together, the better it tastes; you can't ask for a better fragrance to grace your home on a chilly day either! (Contributed by Pperkins@cris.com to rec.food.recipes)