Gone All Afternoon Stew

Gone All Afternoon Stew from Mums

1 lb. lean round steak, trimmed of fat and cubed
1 Tbl. dry tapioca
5 medium carrots, cut in chunks
3 large ribs celery, thickly sliced
1 onion, cut in chunks
4 medium potatoes, cut in chunks (I scrub them but do not peel them)
1 can tomato soup
1 cup water
1 tsp. salt
pepper to taste
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. Italian seasoning or equivalent (I just throw in basil, a little oregano, and thyme)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 1/2 cup frozen peas

Layer all ingredients except peas in a heavy roaster or casserole dish. No need to brown the meat first. Cover tightly, use foil if your pan doesn't have a lid.

Bake at 275 degrees for 5 hours. Stir in peas just before serving.