Easy Hearty Beef Stew

Makes 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

■  2 pounds stew beef, trimmed of fat and cut into 1-inch cubes

■  5 carrots, cut into 1-inch cubes

■  1 large onion, cut into chunks

■  3 stalks celery, sliced

■  1 (28-ounce) can tomatoes

■  ½ cup quick-cooking tapioca

■  1 to 2 whole cloves or ½ teaspoon ground cloves

■  2 bay leaves

■  Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Put all the ingredients into the slow cooker. Mix thoroughly. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 12 hours, or on high for 5 to 6 hours.