Slow Cooker Beef Stew

• non-stick cooking spray
• 1 package of lean beef stew meat, cut into 1 inch cubes (approximately 2 lbs.)
• black ground pepper
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 packages dry onion soup mix
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 5 potatoes, washed, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 package baby carrots
• 1 onion, peeled and chopped
• 2 cans cream of celery soup
• 1 cup ketchup

1. Spray the non-stick cooking spray to coat the inside of the slow cooker.
2. In a plastic bag, put the paprika and the onion soup mix. Shake to mix well.
3. Blot the meat pieces dry with a paper towel. Shake pepper over the pieces. Add the meat to the mixture and shake until all pieces are coated.
4. Heat the olive oil in a skillet.
5. Brown the pieces in two batches about 10 minutes. Some people skip this step, but it will enrich the flavor if you do so.
6. Layer the meat in the bottom of the slow cooker.
7. Layer the vegetables on top of the meat.
8. In a separate bowl, stir the celery soup and ketchup until blended. If you have any leftover seasoning from the plastic bag, you may add this also and stir to distribute it.
9. Pour over the vegetables in the crockpot.
10. Cover the with lid and cook for eight hours on low.
11. Before serving, stir to distribute the sauce more evenly.
12. Serve and enjoy.