Old Time Beef Stew

2 tablespoons oil

Flour Garlic powder Paprika 2 pounds stew beef

1 onion -- quartered

1 clove garlic

4 cups boiling water

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon paprika

bay leaves 1 Dash allspice or cloves

6 carrots -- cut in pieces

6 medium white potatoes -- cut in pieces

1/2 cup cold water

1/4 cup flour

Put flour, paprika and garlic powder in a plastic bag. Coat stew beef in flour mixture and brown in hot oil in a large Dutch oven. After all meat is browned, add the remaining ingredients except for 1/2 cup cold water and 1/4 cup flour. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 2-3 hours. When all vegetables are cooked, thicken with 1/2 cup cold water mixed with 1/4 cup flour.

*To cook in a crockpot, brown flour coated meat. Put browned meat and remaining ingredients, except for thickening ingredients, to the crockpot. Cook on low for 10-12 hours or 5-6 hours on high.