recipe for beef stew

(my youngest dtr is learning how to cook, so i gotta write some of this shit down)

this is enough for 2 ppl -- modify quantities accordingly:

1 lb. beef stew meat (cubed)
1 yellow onion
4 redskin potatoes
2 carrots
2 ribs of celery
basil (fresh is best)
black pepper
paprika (_not_ cayenne pepper - duh, all red powder looks the same)
white pepper (the last 2 are my sweetie's innovation ;-})
flour
butter

slice onions thin (or dice them). quarter potatoes and slice veg in 1-inch sections. chop basil and mix black, cayenne, and white pepper. in a skillet, melt enough butter to cover the bottom completely. saute onions until they're translucent, then remove to a pot or saucepan. melt more butter and add the beef cubes. dust with flour and add the spices and half of the basil. brown the beef on all sides, then remove to the pot/saucepan. sprinkle the beef with the rest of the basil. put some water in the skillet and scrape off the burned bits from the bottom. pour the water into the pot/saucepan, then add as much water as you need to cover the meat and onions. put the pot/saucepan over high heat and add the potatoes, carrots, and celery. bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. (don't let it boil over!) serve with crusty bread and red wine.

variations: for a different flavor, you can add beef bouillon cubes or red wine to the water before you boil it. (i almost never do.) i guess you could add mushrooms to the mix, too, if you really wanted to.