Easy Crock Pot Apple Cider Beef Stew

• 1 1/2 to 2 pounds lean stew beef
• 2 slices of bacon
• 8 carrots, sliced thin
• 6 medium potatoes, sliced thin
• 2 apples, chopped Cortland or Northern Spy works well
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 cups fresh apple cider

Instructions

1. Start by taking a saute pan and cooking up 2 slices of
   bacon.  
2. Remove the bacon and pat dry with paper towel.  
3. Reserve bacon fat and saute the beef and chopped onion in this fat.  
4. Pat the beef dry and add to crock pot with remaining vegetables and apple
   cider.  
5. Stir to mix, cover and cook on low for 8 hours.  
6. Thicken juices with a flour and cold water mixture – about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons flour and 2 tablespoons water.