Start by cubing the meat into bite sized pieces
Start with a larger heavy bottom stock pot( We will transfer to a crock pot for finishing) heat on high heat with oil, add cubed beef (make sure to season with salt and pepper) cook on high for 5 minutes.
Take the meat out of the pot and set aside, use the same pot that the meat was in and add the onion, celery, and carrots. Continue to cook for 5 minutes, onions should start to look translucent. Add fresh garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Add the beef stock to deglaze the pot (you can continue to cook in this same pot or transfer now to a crock pot).
Add all the ingredients into the pot; meat, potato, frozen peas, bay leaf, and fresh thyme, cover with 3 cups of water and cook on medium/low for 5 hours (if you use a crock pot cook on high for 4hrs).
Thicken the stew with a “slurry” take a coffee mug and add a ½ cup flour and whisk with ½ cup of HOT water stirring fast with a fork, getting all the lumps out.
Add the “slurry” to the stew and stir in, cook for another 1 hour.
Taste and add additional salt/ pepper as needed