This slow-cooking stew is an excellent use of the crockpot... and mighty tasty too.
l l/4 lb. stew beef 4 slices bacon, cut in l" pieces l l8 oz. jar brown gravy l l4.5 oz. can crushed tomatoes, not drained l tsp. dried thyme leaves l/4 tsp. pepper l/2 tsp. salt l small pkg. baby carrots 8 new red potatoes, quartered 2 small onions, cut into 1/8s 1 8 oz. pkg. mushrooms
Cook bacon and beef in pan until beef is browned. Drain. In crockpot, combine everything else. Add beef and bacon. Cover cook until done. Usually it takes several hours on low heat.