Subj:  Beef Stew with Wild Mushrooms

From:  EBWATERS

Beef Stew with Wild Mushrooms 

5 C. water 
1/2 C. dried wild mushrooms 
2 lbs. lean stew meat 
1/2 C. flour 
1/4 C. butter 
1 C. onions, diced 
1 C. dry red wine 
10 C. beef stock 
1 t. fresh thyme leaves 
1 bay leaf 
salt and pepper          

In a bowl, soak dried mushrooms in 5 C. water for 30 
minutes, until soft.  Remove
mushrooms and ladle off 4 C. water and save (avoid ladling 
the grit off the top).  

Toss the stew meat in flour and brown in butter over 
medium heat in a large soup pot. 
Turn down heat to low.  Add onios and saute for 10 minutes. 
 Add wild mushrooms
and saute 3 minutes more.  Add wine, beef stock, thyme, 
bay leaf and mushroom water. 

Simmer over low heat for 2 hours until beef is tender. 
 Salt and pepper to taste