SANDRA LEE'S FIVE-SPICE BEEF STEW

Taken from the book Celebrity Chefs published by Hearst Books.

SANDRA LEE'S FIVE-SPICE BEEF STEW
Total time 8-10 hours
Makes 6 servings

2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound baby carrots
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes with onion and garlic
3/4 cup reduced-sodium beef broth
1 tablespoon five-spice powder
Salt and ground black pepper
Hot mashed potatoes (optional)

1.  In a 4- to 5-quart slow cooker, stir together beef stew meet, carrots, undrained tomatoes, beef broth, and five-spice powder until thoroughly combined.

2.  Cover and cook on LOW heat setting for 8 to 10 hours. Season with salt and pepper.

3.  Serve with mashed potatoes (optional).

Each serving:  About 279 calories, 36 g protein, 18 g carbohydrate, 7 g total fat (3 g saturated), 3 g fiber, 97 mg cholesterol, 665 mg sodium.