Absolutely The Best Amish Beef Stew

• 2 -3 lbs boneless beef cubes
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 4 cups boiling water
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 dash allspice
• 1 dash clove
• 6 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks or 1 lb peeled baby carrots
• 6 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 1/4 cup flour

1. Melt shortening over high heat in a large pot or dutch oven.
2. Add beef cubes and brown over medium heat, stirring occasionally, about 15-20 minutes.
3. Add onions, boiling water, salt, lemon juice, sugar, worcestershire sauce, pepper, paprika, allspice and cloves.
4. Simmer, tightly covered, for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
5. Add vegetables and simmer another 30 minutes (covered), or until tender.
6. Note: if your lid is not tight on the pot, you may not have enough liquid left to just about cover everything after you add the veggies.
7. If this is the case, add more water to barely cover ingredients.
8. Mix cold water and flour together and blend until smooth.
9. Push meat and veggies to the side of the pot and add flour mixture slowly, incorporating into liquid.
10. When gravy thickens, stir all ingredients gently to distribute gravy evenly.
11. Simmer another 5 or 10 minutes and enjoy!

beef cubes, shortening, onion, boiling water, salt, lemon juice, sugar, worcestershire sauce, pepper, paprika, allspice, clove, carrots, potatoes, cold water, flour

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/absolutely-the-best-amish-beef-stew-55021 (may not work)