Tip the beef and flour in a bowl with a pinch of black pepper, and mix well so as to coat all of the beef and make it white
Add the oil to a non stick pan, and after 30 seconds add the beef to brown it. Cook for a couple of minutes, then stir the beef and cook for another two minutes. Crumble in the stock cube and mix well
Add the ale and bring to the boil
Allow to boil for a few minutes. then add the water, sugar, the herbs, tomato puree, garlic and the black pepper and stir well.
Pour into your slow cooker and add the carrots and onions and give it a good stir
Cook on high for 4½ hours or 8 hours on low
Recipe by Mummy Mishaps at http://www.mummymishaps.co.uk/2016/03/slow-cooked-beef-ale-stew.html