Crockpot Beef Stew

Serves 6

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup flour
2 onions -- chopped
2 cloves garlic -- pressed
1 pound round steak -- cubed
12 baby carrots
1 stalk celery -- finely chopped
1 can beef broth
1 teaspoon thyme
salt and pepper -- to taste
1/2 cup water

In a skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat and saute onions and
garlic till translucent. In the meantime, dump the flour in a plastic
bag and toss beef cubes in there to coat. Add beef to onion mixture
and continue to cook till meat is browned.

In a crockpot, place the celery and carrots on the bottom. Top with
beef mixture. Now take the skillet and begin heating, adding 1/2 cup
of water to the browned skillet. Use a wire whisk to get these browned
bits up and pour the browned water over the top of the meat in the
crockpot. Add beef broth, thyme and salt and pepper, cover and cook on
low for 8 hours or until meat is tender.