This crock pot beef stew is very easy to put together and you should have all the ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry.  The flavors of the red wine and mushrooms really gives this recipe its great taste so I encourage you to use the wine.  You can also use half and half of wine and beef stock if you prefer.

Turn on the crock pot to high and spray with some non stick spray .  Put the steak into the crock pot, add everything else except the mushrooms and then stir gently.  Put the lid on and turn the heat down to low and cook for 8 hours.   Add the mushrooms in the last 1/2 hour of cooking. You can thicken with cornflour or potato flour about the same time.  Remove the bay leaves from the crock pot before serving.  Oh, and I have forgotten that step once or twice and was the lucky one who got the crunchy bay leaf.

Serve this crock pot beef stew with rice or mashed potato and some peas, corn or other vegetables.   I must admit my favorite accompaniment with this crock pot meal  is sweet potato mash.  Serves 4