Slow Cooker Beef Stew w/ Merlot & Tomatoes

I made beef stew on Saint Patrick's Day and, to thumb my nose at limiting faux-Irish traditions, it doesn't have Guinness in it. Or potatoes. Hearty with thick chunks of beef and vegetables, this made a delicious alternative to corned beef, boiled potatoes, and cabbage.

Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

1 pound stew beef, trimmed & cut into bite-sized pieces
2 shallots, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 red onion, chopped
3 carrots, sliced thick
3 celery stalks, sliced thick
sliced mushrooms
28 oz can Muir Glen fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
1 cup Little Penguin Merlot
1 Tbsp Penzeys Beef Soup Base & Seasoning
2 tsp Penzeys Herbes de Provence
Dried parsley, as desired
Black pepper, to taste

Layer mushrooms and other vegetables at bottom of slow cooker. Top with beef. Whisk soup base into wine until dissolved and combine with tomatoes, parsley, and pepper. Pour over beef. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. Serve over parslied egg noodles.

This stew makes a lot -- enough for four or six -- but the leftovers reheat well.