MEAT:

1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 pounds beef cubes
2 tablespoons shortening
6 cups water

VEGGIES:

3 medium potatoes, cut in cubes
1 green pepper, cut in strips
4 carrots, cut up
1 cup sliced celery
1 medium onion, diced (1/2 cup)

SEASONINGS:

1 tablespoon salt
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 bay leaf

mix flour, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. coat meat with flour mixture. melt shortening. brown meat thoroughly. add water. heat until water boils. reduce heat. cover tightly. simmer 2 hours. stir in veggies and seasonings. cover and simmer until veggies are tender, about 30 minutes. remove bay leaf.

to thicken stew, shake 1 cup water and 3 tablespoons flour together. add to stew. heat, stirring constantly, until stew boils. boil and stir 1 minute.