Old-Fashioned Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 2 lb. beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 Tbsp. shortening
• 6 c. hot water
• 3 pared medium potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 green pepper, cut in strips
• 1 c. celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/2 c. diced onions
• 1 Tbsp. salt
• 2 beef bouillon cubes
• 1 bay leaf