If desired, make a paste of 1 tablespoon flour and 1/4 cup of water and stir into stew to thicken. Another method of preparing stew is to cook the meat separately 8-10 minutes, then add the vegetables and cook 5 more minutes with the presure regulator rocking slowly. My Seasoning: 1 part garlic powder, 1 part onion powder, 1/2 part black pepper. Mix well before measuring and adding to the recipe. Deidre Anne Penrod, Prodigy Food & Wine Board