Crockpot Steak & Gravy (Beef Stew)

This recipe can be made one of two ways: just the meat and gravy or cook all your vegetables at once and make it into a stew-like concoction. I was trying to do a hundred things today, so you get the latter.

3-4 lbs chuck steak (or a chuck roast), largely cubed (I marinated it last night.)

1 c flour
salt and pepper to taste
1 can Coke (Dr. Pepper works well, too)
1½ c beef broth (I used 1 hefty tablespoon Better than Bouillon and 1½ c water, but canned broth will work, too)
1 onion, cut into chunks
2lbs small yellow potatoes, cleaned & halved (don't peel)
4-5 carrots, peeled & cut into chunks
1 stalk celery, cut into chunks

If you make it like stew, put the vegetables on the bottom of the Crock-Pot. Toss the steak in the flour just enough to coat it evenly. Discard remaining flour and add meat to the pot. Pour in the Coke and the beef broth and generously sprinkle in salt and pepper. Put on low for 6-7 hours. Stir only once or twice (every time the crock pot is opened, you add 20 mins to the cook time). The gravy will thicken as it cooks and you'll end up with the perfect consistency.

If you choose not to add the vegetables to the Crock Pot, you can serve this with mashed potatoes, rice or egg noodles for an excellent, filling meal.