(My Easy And Most Excellent Recipe For Homemade Beef Stew) So, I was rummaging around my castle and it's environs...

Mmmm... Time to go inside and stir up the fire in the main hearth, in my large hall and in my sitting room, where my familiars, --- that lazy Diaval, the raven, and my cat Fiddle were snoozing in front of the remnants of the coals.. I swung the cauldron out. It was empty and thoroughly scoured since my house maid Grisella was one of the best sculleries around. 

   I was in the mood for making a savory stew. Do you want my recipe???... 

   HERE IT IS:

   In a large pot, --- you may use a crockpot, which is best for this, (you let it simmer all day, on low.) Place chopped beef stew meat, or a chopped up chuck steak, Add a couple of cans of diced tomatoes, a couple of cups of water, 1 cup of rich red wine (like Burgundy or Chianti) . Later you can add some tomato paste, if you like a richer broth. Season with a couple a cubes of beef boullion, to taste, and some black pepper, plus a bay leaf, which you'll remove later, and some dried oregano. Add cubes a raw red potatoes, don't peel them, all the flavor is in the skin. 

   Simmer, as I said, slowly, --- for hours and hours, stirring occasionally. Don't let the bottom of the pot burn! When the meat is tender add, cans of mixed vegetables, spinach, green beans, peas, sliced carrots and, perhaps, anything else you can think of adding,---  like, maybe, corn or garbanzo beans. Simmer more, till the vegs are hot. 

   Serve over some delicious and lumpy homemade mashed potatoes, or freshly made baking soda biscuits. 

   NOW, --- THAT'S A MEAL FIT FOR A WICKED QUEEN!!!... Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!...