3 tablespoons soy sauce (gluten-free if necessary)
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 teaspoons salt
2 to 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and cut into chunks (about 2 cups)
Instructions
In a medium skillet, melt the butter or heat the oil and sauté celery over medium heat until soft and beginning to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Place celery in slow cooker, leaving remaining butter or oil in the skillet.
In the same skillet over high to medium high heat, quickly sear and brown the stew meat in two batches, turning each piece once or twice and placing meat into slow cooker as it is browned. Pour about 1/2 cup of the cider into the skillet. Bring to a boil and use the liquid to scrape up browned bits. Place contents of skillet, remaining cider, and the rest of the ingredients into the slow cooker. Mix together and cover. Cook on low 8 to 10 hours or until meat is tender.
If adding dumplings, carefully transfer stew to a soup pot. Bring to a boil and cook dumplings on top of the stew for 10 minutes uncovered and then 10 minutes covered.