all day beer stew

prep time:  tbd
cook time:  8 hours
servings:  6-8

ingredients:
12 ounce can of beer
1 cup beef bouillon
2 pounds tougher steak - cubed
3 tablespoons oil
1 large yellow onion - sliced
1 gala (or other sweet apple) - chopped
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
2 pounds red potatoes - chopped
2 cups red cabbage - chopped
2 teaspoons dried leaf thyme
1 teaspoon bacon bits
1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt

steps:
1.  start the slow cooker on high.  pour in the beer and bouillon.

2.  in a large skillet, brown the steak chunks on all sides in 2 tablespoons of the oil starting on high heat.  reduce the heat to medium when the meat is turned.  transfer the meat to the slow cooker as it browns.

3.  add the third tablespoon of oil and brown the onions and apple chunks until soft (about 7 minutes).  add them to the pot.  

4.  deglaze the pan with the apple cider vinegar, letting it simmer enough to reduce to about 1/4 cup.  scrape the pan and drippings into the pot.

5.  add the rest of the ingredients to the slow cooker, reduce the heat to low, cover and cook 8 hours.

- slice of the wild, 2009