"Beefy" Beef Stew - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 slices bacon, cut up (optional)
3 lb. cube beef
4 c. water
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. marjoram
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. pepper
4 onions, cut into 4ths
5 medium carrots, diced
3 large potatoes, diced
1 c. cold water
1/3 c. flour
1/4 c. snipped parsley
1 tsp. browning sauce (optional)

Preparation

Cook bacon in 4-quart pot, stirring occasionally until cooked. Remove from pot.
Add beef and brown.
Add 2 cups of water, salt, thyme, marjoram and pepper.
Bring to boil; reduce heat.
Cover and simmer until beef is tender, about 1 1/2 hours.
Stir in onions, carrots and potatoes.
Bring to boil; reduce heat cover and simmer 1/2 hour.
Mix 1/2 cup cold water and flour; gradually stir into stew.
Stir in browning sauce.
Bring to boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute.
Sprinkle with parsley and bacon.