Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 3 to 5 lb. chuck roast or tender boneless stew meat, cut into small pieces
• 1 medium-size onion, chopped
• 2 to 3 ribs celery, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped (optional)
• 4 or 5 cloves garlic *
• 1/2 can stewed tomatoes
• 3 large potatoes (use red or white, not Russet)
• 5 medium-size carrots
• fresh or canned mushrooms (optional)
• 1/2 tsp. cumin powder
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• salt and pepper
• 1 pkg. onion soup mix
• 4 c. water