Savory Beef Stew

Ok, this recipe called for using a dutch oven, I do have one, but I made this in the crockpot. My toaster oven won`t hold a dutch oven....waiting for a new stove.

Savory Beef Stew
Mrs. Jerry W. Franklin

2 Tablespoon shortening
2 pounds stew meat, cut in chunks ( used fajita meat)
1 large onion, sliced
4 cups boiling water
1 Tablespoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon wocestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup celery, chopped
6 carrots, cut in quarters ( used baby carrots)
6 medium potatoes, diced
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup cold water

Brown stew meat in shortening on all sides. Add onion, boiling water, salt , sugar, worcestershire sauce and pepper. Cook in dutch oven. Cover and simmer for 2 1/2 hours. Add vegetables when stew meat is almost done. Simmer stew for another hour until all vegetables are tender. Pour cold water into a shaker and add flour. Shake hard to blend. Remove dutch oven from heat and push meat and vegetables to side. Stir in flour and water mixture. Cook, stirring constantly until gravy thickens. Cook gently about 5 minutes longer. Serves 6 to 8.