Beef Stew

I made this on my birthday since I love Beef Stew and I was very pleased!!

3 lb beef chuck, trimmed of fat
1/3 c tomato paste
3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp flour
course salt and pepper
1 lb medium onions (about 2) cut into 1 inch pieces
1 lb (about 6) small white or red new potatoes, well scrubbed and halved if large
1 lb carrots, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
6 garlic cloves, smashed
2 bay leaves

Place Beef in a 5 quart slow cooker. Distribute tomato past, vinegar, and flor over beef; season generously with salt and pepper. Add onions, potatoes, carrots, garlic and bay leaves. Cover slow cooker; cook on high until beef is fork-tender, about 5 hours (or cook on low heat 8 hours).