serves 6 to 8

2 lbs. beef stew meat, cut into 1-in. cubes
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. dried thyme, crushed
3 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cups apple cider or apple juice
1 Tbsp. vinegar
3 potatoes, peeled and quartered
4 carrots, quartered
2 onions, sliced

Coat meat with mixture of flour, salt, pepper, and thyme. In 41/2-quart Dutch oven brown meat, half at a time, in hot oil. Drain off fat. Return all meat to Dutch oven. Stir in apple cider or juice, vinagar,and 1/2 cup water; cook and stir till mixture is boils. Reduce heat; cover and simmer about 11/4 hours or until meat is nearly tender. stir in vegetables. Cook 30 minutes more or till vegetables are done.