My Favorite Beef Stew

1-1/2 pounds beef stew meat
5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
7 cups of water
4 medium carrots, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
1- 28 ounce can of tomatoes, undrained
1 1/2 teaspoons of salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 bay leaf
3 tablespoons of cornstarch
1/2 cup of cold water

Place beef stew meat and 7 cups of water in a large pot and slowly bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours.
Add the potatoes, carrots, onion, tomatoes, salt, pepper, garlic and bay leaf.

Cover and simmer for 60 minutes.

Combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
Stir into stew and bring to a boil.

Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened