Crockpot Beef and Broccoli

Since starting work, I find myself relying on my crockpot to deliver an easy meal I don't have to spend a lot of time on when I get home. Walking in the door to the smell of food cooking's always welcoming! I've noticed my follow custodial friend Tina uses her crockpot often too. A crockpot's a working woman's mealtime lifesaver. Recently, Snow White over at Finding Joy in My Kitchen posted about meal planning and listed some of her families favorite meals. The crockpot beef and broccoli was on the list and I thought it looked wonderful. It turned out to be a very simple meal I enjoyed very much. Brad isn't a big fan of Chinese-ish food (with some exceptions) and those type recipes seem to be hit and miss with him. While me, Sophie and Chase really enjoyed this meal, I ended up having to make Brad (and Miss Picky Pants) a sandwich... he's such a dud sometimes!

CROCKPOT BEEF AND BROCCOLI

1 lb. beef stew meat

1/2 cup beef broth, low sodium

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 TBSP dried, minced onion

1 TBSP brown sugar

2 large garlic cloves, minced

8 oz. sliced mushrooms, canned or fresh (if desired)

1 (16oz) bag of frozen broccoli, thawed

2 TBSP water

1 TBSP cornstarch

Combine broth and soy sauce in a crockpot, add onion, brown sugar and garlic. Stir in beef cubes. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours (or on high for 4-6 hours). About an hour before serving, combine water and cornstarch and blend well. Stir cornstarch mixture into the crockpot. Add broccoli (and mushrooms) to the crockpot and cook on low for an additional 30-60 minutes until broccoli is crisp-tender, or done to your liking. Serve with rice or mashed potatoes.