2 packages of stewing beef thawed and cut up into small pieces 1/2 hour

Heated ghee very hot in pot and then seared the stewing beef and then boiled most of the water off - stove temperature 8

Once most of the water has boiled off add the beef broth, crushed tomatoes, bay leaves and chopped up onions - stove temperature 4 for 1 hour and then 3 for 1 hour

Sprinkle in the country pepper and cook for 2 hours, it should be bubbling and you may need to add water

While the beef was cooking, I cubed the vegetables which took about 1 hour and 15 minutes. I stored them in a bowl of water

After 2 hours added the cubed potatoes, cubed carrots , cubed celery sticks and the mushrooms - increased heat up to 8 to get it to bubble again and then drop the heat down to 6 and then finally to 4 so it is bubbling.

Stir and add water if necessary, cook for one and a half more hours

Total preparation and cooking time about 4 and half hours. Created on January 5, 2014