Basic (No Tomato) Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 12-2 lbs lean stewing beef (cubed round or your preferred cut)
• 2 -3 tablespoons cooking oil
• 3 12 cups beef broth (or 3 cups beef broth plus 1/2 cup dry red wine)
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 12 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
• 12 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
• 2 14 cups peeled cubed potatoes
• 2 cups carrots, sliced thickly
• 1 cup sliced celery (optional)
• 2 cups sliced green beans (OR 1 1/2 cups peas)
• salt and pepper