Beef & Sausage Stew

3 lbs. beef stew meat, trimmed of fat and cut into 3/4 inch cubes
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. all purpose flour, divided
1 (16 oz) can diced tomatoes in juice, undrained
1/2 package smoked sausage, sliced
3 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 cup each chopped leek and chopped onion
4 celery stalks, sliced
1/2 cup chicken broth
3 clove garlic, minced
3 Tbsp. water

Place 1/2 c. flour in a resealable food storage bag. Add beef, seal bag. Shake to coat beef cubes with flour evenly on all sides. Place in slow cooker. Add tomatoes with juice, sausage slices, diced potatoes, chopped leak, chopped onion, sliced celery, chicken broth and minced garlic: stir well.
Cover and cook on HIGH 4 to 6 hours or on LOW 8 to 12 hours. (One hour before serving, turn slow cooker to HIGH if on LOW setting.)
Combine remaining 2 Tbsp. flour and water in small bowl; stir until mixture becomes paste. Stir flour mixture into slow cooker; mix well. Cover and cook until thickened, about 10 to 15 minutes. Serve with buttermilk biscuits and butter or over rice or even buttered noodles.

Serves 8
Prep time: 25 mins.
Cooking Time: 4 to 6 hours (Slow Cooker)