Crock Pot Beef Stew

Name: Crock Pot Beef Stew
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons oil; 1.5 pounds beef stewing meat (in chunks); 1-2 teaspoons salt (or less, depending on what kind of stock you're using); black pepper (to taste); 2 tablespoons flour; 2 large yellow onions (cut into wedges); 2 cloves garlic (sliced); 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 4 tablespoons tomato paste; 1/4 cup red wine (OR use more stock); 2 cups beef stock; 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon maple syrup; 3 large waxy potatoes (peeled and cut into chunks); 4 large carrots (peeled, ends trimmed and cut into chunks); 4 large celery sticks (trimmed and thickly sliced); 1/2 pound brown mushrooms (cleaned and quartered); 1/2 cup frozen peas (no need to defrost)