Simplest Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 1  bay leaves 
• 2.5 pounds ground beef trimmed of fat cut into 1-inch cubes
• 6  carrots cut into 1-inch pieces
• 0.5 teaspoon thyme dried
• 1.5 cups wine dry red
• 4 tablespoons flour all-purpose
• 8 cloves garlic finely chopped
• 2  onion cut into wedges
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 
• 6 servings salt and pepper 
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• slow cooker

Directions

1. Place meat in a large bowl; season all over with salt and pepper and coat in flour. Warm 2 Tbsp. oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry half of meat until brown all over, about 4 minutes; place cubes in a slow cooker. Warm remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in skillet, fry remaining meat and place in slow cooker.
2. Add onions and carrots to skillet and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes.
3. Add garlic; cook for 1 minute longer.
4. Add onion mixture to slow cooker.
5. Pour vinegar and wine into skillet, bring to a boil and then add mixture to slow cooker. Season mixture with salt, pepper and thyme; add bay leaf. Cover and cook on low heat until meat is tender, 5 to 6 hours.
6. Remove bay leaf and serve hot.