• Step 1

  Season beef with salt and pepper. Dust with pan-searing flour; pat off excess.

• Step 2

  Heat oil on MED in large braising pan. Add beef; brown, turning to brown all sides, 8-10 min. Remove beef; place in 6-8 qt slow cooker. Add bacon to pan and cook until crisp; set aside. Discard all but 1 Tbsp drippings from pan.

• Step 3

  Add stew vegetables (minus potatoes) to pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, 4-5 min. Stir in flour. Add wine, stirring to loosen browned bits on bottom of pan. Cook 3-5 min, until liquid is reduced by one-third, to a syrupy consistency. Add broth; bring to simmer.

• Step 4

  Pour broth mixture over beef in slow cooker. Add potatoes, bacon, bay leaves, tomato paste, and herbes; stir slightly.

• Step 5

  Cover; cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours or LOW 7-9 hours. Transfer beef and vegetable to serving platter. Discard bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over beef.

Note: When servings & ingredients are modified, nutrition & directions may vary.