Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

serves 6-8 (fits a 4-qt crock pot)

2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes (I used chuck)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups beef broth
3 potatoes, diced (waxy potatoes are best - red, white, Yukon gold)
4 carrots, sliced
1 stalk celery, chopped

Place cubed beef in crock pot (no need to brown it first). Combine the flour, salt, pepper, and paprika; pour over beef and stir to coat. Add garlic and bay leaf. Now add the carrots, celery, and potatoes. Lastly, combine the Worcestershire, onions, beef broth; pour over the veggies. Don't be alarmed that the liquid is only a couple of inches deep (don't add additional liquid - there will be plenty when the dish is done). Cover and cook on low for 10-12 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve over rice or buttered noodles.