Good-Cooking - Boot Kickin' Cowboy Stew

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 pounds beef chuck, cubed
• 12 small boiling onions, blanched and peeled
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 dried chipotle pepper, whole for less heat, or 1 pepper in adobo, diced (optional)
• 1 (10 ounce) can condensed onion soup
• 3 (10 1/2 ounce) cans beef broth
• 1 teaspoon Liquid Smoke seasoning (sold in the spice aisle of most supermarkets)
• 1 pound golden potatoes (such as small Yukon Gold), cut into 2-inch chunks
• 6 carrots, peeled, cut into 2-inch chunks
• 3 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water (optional, for thicker broth)
• Salt and pepper, to taste