Beef Stew

2 lbs beef stew meat
2 Tbsp shortening
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 clove garlic
1 medium onion, chopped
1 or 2 bay leaves
1 Tbsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp pepper
dash allspice or cloves
6 carrots, sliced
4 potatoes, diced
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour

Brown meat in hot shortening, add 2 cups of hot water and the next nine ingredients. Cover, simmer 1-1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaves and garlic clove. Add vegetables, cover and cook 30 to 40 minutes or until veggies are tender. Slowly blend flour into 1/3 cup cold water. Stir flour mixture slowly into hot stew. Cook and stir until bubbly. Cook and stir 3 minutes longer. Serve.