Samhain Beef Stew

(Adapted from http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/International-Beef-Stew/Detail.aspx)

This is a great cold-weather recipe to celebrate Samhain with. This is also a great recipe for building up protective energy for the coming winter. Serves 10.

* 3 ½ lbs cubed beef (for the Samhain harvest)
* 3 onions, chopped (protection)
* 6 carrots, sliced
* 3-4 potatoes, chopped (earth magic, healing)
* 4 stalks celery
* 8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced or quartered (associated with the spirit world)
* 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes (prosperity, protection)
* 5 cloves garlic, minced (protection)
* ½ tsp dried rosemary (protection, purification)
* 2 tsp dried sage (wisdom, protection)
* 1 tbsp dried basil leaves (protection)
* Salt and pepper to taste. (protection)
* 4-8 cups water

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Combine all ingredients in a large, oven-proof pot, such as a Dutch oven. If you want a thicker stew, add enough water to cover the veggies. If you want a thinner stew or a soup, add all 8 cups. Cover tightly with foil and bake 5 to 6 ½ hours. The long cooking time (in the dark womb of the Dutch oven) gives the spell time to develop and imbue the properties of the ingredients into the stew. Serve with crusty bread to round out the harvest celebration.