Beef Stew - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb. beef stew meat
2 Tbsp. cooking oil
3 Tbsp. flour
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp. dried thyme, crushed
3 c. vegetable juice cocktail or tomato juice
1 beef bouillon cube
few dashes bottled hot pepper sauce
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 1/2 c. diced celery
1 1/2 c. sliced carrots

Preparation

In a plastic bag, combine flour and 1 teaspoon salt.
Add meat cubes a few at a time, shaking to coat.
In hot oil, brown all sides of the meat cubes.
Add onion, garlic and thyme.
Stir in the vegetable juice, bouillon, hot pepper sauce and 1 cup of water.
Bring to boiling.
Reduce heat.
Cover and simmer until nearly tender.
Stir in potatoes, celery and carrots.
Continue cooking until tender.
If you prefer, use your crock-pot.