Old Fashioned Beef Stew

This is an old stand by that I use quite a bit on cold wintry days.
I'm looking to potentially add some new spices and things to it to liven it up a bit ( I may add them in as optional later) But for now. Here is the basic recipe as I have it. ( It happens to be one of my comfort foods. ^_^ )

Beef Stew

1 ½ Lb/ Stew beef ( cubed)

2 Tbs. Oil

1 ½ Tsp salt

1 Tsp Ground black pepper

½ Tsp Celery seed

½ Cup chopped celery

2 Quarts water ( Or beef broth if you want more flavor)

2 cups ( one pint) tomato juice (or 1 can ( 15oz) sauce)

4 medium potatoes

4 medium carrots


[ Also needed]

½ cup cold water

¼ cup cornstarch


1.Heat oil in a heavy- bottomed kettle.
2.Add beef, onion and spices ( next 3 ingredients) and cook until meat is well browned.
3. Add water/broth, celery and tomato juice. Bring to boil and simmer covered 1 ½ hours.
4.While meat is boiling prepare vegetables.
5.Add carrots when meat is tender, cook 20 minutes more. ( adjust salt to taste.)
6.Add potatoes and cook another 20 minutes.
7.Mix together cold water and cornstarch. Then pour into still boiling stew to thicken it. Stir gently! Serve hot.


Options:

If you can have these feel free to add...

1 Tsp. Chopped garlic to the meat

and 1 Lb. Frozen green beans (with the carrots)