Beef with Noodles

about 1 cup beef from chuck steak*
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 teaspoon salt
dash pepper
one bay leaf
1 small onion, coarsely chopped
2/3 cup celery, diced
1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon water
1 1/2 cups noodles, cooked, unsalted

Brown beef cubes in saucepan until well browned.

Add 1 1/2 cups water, salt, pepper and bay leaf. Cover and cook over low heat until beef is almost tender, about 1 hour.

Add onion and celery. Continue cooking until meat and vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Remove bay leaf.

Mix flour and water until smooth. Stir into beef mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 2 minutes.

Serve over noodles.

*Note: For beef cubes or strips, use a 1-1/2 pound blade chuck steak. Separate lean meat from fat and bone. Cut meat into 3/4 inch cubes, or strips.

Source: USDA