Crock Pot Beef Stew / Soup

Ingredients
2 lbs of beef brisket ( stewing beef ) cut into cubes
( This can be replaced with ox tail – about 6-8 large pieces )
1 carrot diced
2-3 potatoes diced ( not too small or they will disintegrate in the crock pot )
1 stick of celery diced ( optional – I don’t like celery in this because it has too strong a flavour )
1 onion diced
1 can of button mushrooms cut into halves
2 cloves
Handful of black peppercorns
2 beef buillon cubes
Dash of soy sauce
Salt to taste

Method
Place all ingredients in the crock pot and add enough water to cover it all. Add half a cup of corn starch mixed with cold water if you like it more of a stew consistency rather than a soup. Cook for 10 – 12 hours ; the meat gets more tender the longer you cook it.
* If you an get your hands on a couple of beef bones , throw it into the crock pot; it adds flavour to the stock.