Hearty Beef Stew (crock pot recipe)

I made this Beef stew tonight for dinner.....Don't be put off by the amount of preparation time it takes in the beginning before it goes into the crock pot because all of the steps are SOO worth it and makes it that much better!! I already had a really good go to recipe for Beef stew but this one is 10 times better!
***It makes a TON so either half it or you will just have lots to eat off of. I have a fairly large crock pot and it was filled to the top.

5 pounds boneless chuck roast, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces (I used stew meat already packaged cut up)
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste ( I didn't have tomato paste so I used a 14 oz can of tomato sauce)
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or beef broth ( I used about 3 cups of beef broth, I like alot of juice in my soups and stews)
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 bay leaves
1 pound carrots, peeled, and cut into 1-inch pieces (I used baby carrots and cut them in half)
1 pound red potatoes, washed and cut into 1-inch pieces (don't use Russet potatoes they will end up being to mushy, if you don't mind them being a little mushy then you can use Russets)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons Minute tapioca (holds up better as a thickener than cornstarch)
2 cups frozen peas

After the meat has been cut into chunks, pat it dry with a paper towel and season all the pieces with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat until the oil is rippling and hot. Cook half of the beef until it is well browned on each side, about 4 minutes. No need to cook it all the way through – just get some great brown color all around. Toss the meat in the slow cooker and follow the same process with the second half of the meat (you may need to add another tablespoon of oil to the pan if it looks a little dry). Remove the meat to the slow cooker, trying to keep as much oil in the pan as possible.

Return the skillet to medium heat and add the onions and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until the onions are translucent and golden, about 6 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the broth, soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon thyme and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil and transfer it to the slow cooker, pouring it over the meat.

In a large bowl, toss the carrots, potatoes, 1 tablespoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. On the counter, lay out a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil (use two sheets of regular foil on top of each other if you don’t have heavy-duty). Place the tossed vegetables on one side of the foil. Fold the foil over the vegetables and crimp the edges really well to form a little foil packet that will fit in the top of your slow cooker. Stir the tapioca into the slow cooker. Place the foil packet of vegetables on top of the stew, cover the slow cooker, and cook on high for 6-7 hours or low for 10-11 hours.

When the stew is finished cooking, carefully remove the foil packet from the top of the stew. Discard the bay leaves from the stew. Carefully open the foil packet (be careful of steam that may escape as you open it!). Return the vegetables and any juices to the slow cooker and gently mix them into the stew. Stir in the frozen peas and let them rest in the stew for 5-10 minutes, until they are heated through. Serve.
YUMMMM, being pregnant it caused immediate heartburn but it was so worth it!!