Old Fashioned Beef Stew

2 lbs cube steak
4 potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1-inch cubes
1 (10 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
1 medium chopped onions
2 cloves minced garlic
1 cups peeled, chopped carrots
1 cup whole kernel corn
1 cup peas
3 quarts water
3 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
3 whole bay leaves
4 teaspoons chopped parsley
1/4 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1 tablespoon cornstarch
cooking oil (as needed)
~
Heat oil on a large skillet.
Add garlic and chopped beef and on all sides.
Add 3 quarts of water.
Add seasoning, potatoes, tomatoes and onion
Simmer for 2 hours, watching carefully to be sure the food doesn't dry out.
Add all other vegetables and simmer 1 more hour.

Add water as needed.
Add cornstarch, a little at a time, until stew is as thick as you want it to be.

**This can also be done in the crock pot.

Brown beef and garlic.

Add to crock pot.

Add all ingredients except the peas and corn.

Cook on high for 4 hours.

Add peas and corn and cook an additional hour.

Add cornstarch at the end, a little at a time, for desired thickness**