French Onlon Beef Stew

ACTIVE: 10 MIN - TOTAL: 5 HR 10 MIN OR 8 HR 10 MN - SERVES 4

Ingredients:
8 sprigs fresh thyme, plus 1 tsp leaves
1 14.5-oz. can low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup apple juice
4 medium carrots, cut into 1/4-in. pieces
2 onions, thinly sliced
1 1/2 lb lean beef stew meat, trimmed and cut into 1/2-in. pieces
Kosher salt and pepper
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
4 thick slices country bread
4 oz Gruyére or Swiss cheese, grated (about 1 cup)

Directions:
1. Tie a piece of thread or kitchen twine around the thyme sprigs and place them in a 5- to 6-qt slow cooker. Add the chicken broth, apple juice. carrots and onions and mix to combine.
2. Season the beef with 7»: tsp each salt and pepper; sprinkle with the flour. Add the beef and any excess flour to the slow cooker and mix to combine. Cook. covered. until the beef and vegetables are tender, 7 to 8 hours on low or 4 to 5 hours on high.
3.When the stew has 10 minutes left to cook, heat the broiler. Place the bread on a foil-lined broiler-proof baking sheet. Sprinkle with the cheese and remaining tsp thyme. Broil until the cheese starts to brown. 1 to 2 minutes. Spoon the stew into bowls and top with the Gruyére toasts.