Best Beef Stew on the Planet

I am certain I just made the best beef stew on the face of the planet, so I decided to share.  (Sorry, Julia)  If you deviate from the recipe, I am not responsible for this not being the best stew on the planet!!  I did not use a recipe to come up with this recipe - I used what I had in the house, so here goes!!  ENJOY and please let me know if you made this!!!

Missy Beef Stew

4 lbs stewing beef (or whatever you like best, fat trimmed)

1 cup flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tsp butter

1 small can tomato paste + 1 can water

2 cups beef broth

1-2 cups burgundy

1 jar button mushrooms, drained

1 jar pearl onions, drained

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon minced garlic

2 lbs potatoes cut in large chunks

1 can peas, drained

6 carrots peeled and chunked

Directions:

Mix flour, salt and pepper. Coat beef in flour mixture. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil on medium/high heat. Brown half the meat. Remove and place in crockpot. Repeat with the rest of the meat. Put pan aside. You won't be reusing this because well, everything else will burn in it. :)

In separate pan, heat butter on medium/high. Add drained mushrooms and onions to butter. Toss to lightly brown about 2-3 minutes. Add to crockpot.

In same pan add broth and burgundy. Bring to boil. Add to crockpot.

In same pan add tomato paste and water. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Bring to boil. Add to crockpot.

Add all remaining ingredients, except peas to crockpot. Stir. Cook on high 4 hours, adding peas after 2 hours, stirring occasionally to mix in flavor of bay leaf. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Clean up. Wash your pans. Oops, I mean, soak them. :)  Now go take a nap because you're feeling really good.