Crock Pot Beef Stew

Ingredients

2 lbs.  cubed beef ball tip grilling steak or boneless bottom sirloin
3 small carrots (sliced)
2 celery stalks (sliced)
3 beef bouillon cubes
1 1/2 tablespoon balsamic oil
1 1/2 cups water
3 garlic cloves
2 tablespoon of  olive oil
1 cup red wine
2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons flour

Directions
1.  Mix the flour, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together.
2.  Cube the meat if it isn't already cut.
3.  Put the olive oil in a frying pan, medium heat.
4.  Coat the meat with the flour mixture, then put it in the hot pan.
5.  When the meat is browned add the red wine and stir.
6.  Chop the carrots, celery and onions into chunks ( the size you like).
7.  Add them to the crock pot and top with the meat mixture.  Now add the balsamic oil, water and bouillon cubes. Cook on high for about 3 to 4 hours.  You will know it is done when the meat is tender.   ***  Sometimes I add one packet of instant mash potatoes to thicken the juice.

Mash Potatoes
6 medium size potatoes
1/2 butter or margarine
1/2 cream or half and half
salt and pepper to taste

1. Peel and quarter the potatoes, try to keep them the same size. (they will cook evenly)
2. Put them in a pan of water, heat medium high, make sure all the potatoes are covered with water.
3. Put 1 tablespoon of salt in the water and cook potatoes until you can put a fork in the potatoes and they are soft.
4.  When the potatoes are soft, they are done.  Take them off the stove and drain water.
5.  Add the butter, salt and pepper, then beat them until the butter has melted.  Now add the cream, if you think you want more cream, add it. 
6.  Give them a taste, if you want more butter add 2 more tablespoons.
optional***  If you like cheesy potatoes add 1/2 cup of mild cheddar cheese, you can add 1/2 cup sour cream but do that before you add the cream.  You might have to reduce the cream to 1/4 cup.   Add the sour cream and add 1/4 of cream at a time.  If you like the consistency of the potatoes after you added only 1/4 cup of cream don't add more.

I serve the beef stew over the mash potatoes.