Beef Stew

3 Tbsp all purpose flour
1 1/2 pounds beef stew meat
2 Tbsp cooking oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp dried thyme, crushed
3 cups vegetable juice cocktail (or 2 cans tomatoe juice+1 can water)
1 tsp beef bouillon
few dashes bottled hot pepper sauce
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 1/2 cups sliced celery
1 1/2 cups sliced carrot

In a plastic bag combind flour and 1 tsp salt. Add meat cubes, a few at a time, shaking to coat.  In a large saucepan brown meat in hot oil. Add onion garlic and thyme. Stir in vegetable juice, bouillon, hot pepper sauce and 1 cup water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover; simmer 1 1/4 hours or till meat is nearly tender. Stir in ptoatoes, celery and carrot.. Cover; simmer 39 minutes more. Skim off fat. Serves 6