Time to warm up with stew!

It's cold in most of the US.  We need warm, comforting foods.  Here's how.

Keeping Warm with Stews and Casseroles

Thanks claire. I have been wanting beef stew! This might sound ridiculous, but I don't have a crockpot yet. Any tips before I buy one on features I should get, or are all crockpots created equal?

I went for simple - just one knob with on/off, low, high settings.  Get a good quality one, not a cheap knockoff that you'll have to replace in a year. Some of them have plastic lids - stay away from those because you want a nice, heavy glass lid.

Other than that, size matters.  Mine is pretty big because I like to do a whole chicken or roast sometimes, and I cook in batches for my freezer.  Also, you can cook small in a big pot, but not big in a small pot. 

Look at the ones with special settings and controls too.  You may find that you'd like to have those features.

I'm not a big fan of beef, so I make turkey stew. It makes quite a bit, and the leftovers make great lunches.

http://caloriecount.about.com/crockpot-turkey -stew-recipe-r157576

I just have a small/medium crockpot with high, low, and keep warm settings. I think I got it for free for opening a checking account. I've had it about 5 years and it's held up fine, but I only use it probably 3 or 4 times a year. This recipe packs it to the top.