Faramirs Ranger Stew

Ingredients:

• 1 pound beef stew meat, cubed
• 1 pound venison stew meat, cubed
• 1/2 cup bacon, chopped
• 2 cups onions, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups carrots, chopped
• 2 cups celery, chopped
• 1 cup mushrooms, chopped
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the bacon in a large pot until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot and set it aside.
2. Add the chopped onions to the same pot and sauté for several minutes until they're translucent.
3. Add the cubed beef and venison to the pot and brown on all sides.
4. Add the garlic, carrots, celery, and mushrooms to the pot and sauté for a few minutes.
5. Add the diced tomatoes, beef broth, thyme, rosemary, and cooked bacon to the pot.
6. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender and the vegetables are soft.
7. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste.
8. Serve the Ranger Stew hot with Lembas bread and Mushroom and Herb Spread.

This version of the Ranger Stew will still have the deep, savory, and full-bodied flavors of the original recipe but without the bay leaf. Enjoy!