Heat a pan or large skillet to a medium to high heat.
While the pan is heating dice your onion.
Add a little oil to a pan.
Once the oil is hot add the beef cubes to the pan and seal all of the sides until you can't see any raw beef.
Add your onions to your beef when it is starting to brown
During this time cut your celery and carrots and cube your potatoes to your desired size.
Sprinkle the flour on top of the beef and onions and mix so that it is all combined.
Optional Step. Part boil them in a saucepan for around 10 minutes just to help with the softening process.
Once the beef and the onions and flour mixture is combined add it to the slow cooker on a low heat.
Pour a small amount of boiling water into the pan that had the beef. Give it a little scrape with a wooden spoon to get all the good bits left by the beef and pour it into the slow cooker.
Add the tomato paste (puree), red wine, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder or granules, mixed herbs, bay leaves and salt and pepper to taste to the slow cooker.
Add the celery, carrots and potatoes.
If you are using stock cubes and water combine those together and add to the crock pot. If you are using ready made stock just pour it straight in.
Put the lid on and allow to cook for 6-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high.
Taste to check for desired levels of salt and pepper. I also sometimes like to add an extra beef stock cube if I want a deeper flavour.
Mix it in and give it to cook for another 10 minutes or so.
Then it is ready to serve!
