This recipe for beef stew works well with a slow-cooker. You can also use a large pot and cook the stew on medium-low heat. I recommend adding chickpeas and white beans to your stew as they complement the taste of slow cooked beef. Tomato paste is a must have for this recipe. You can replace it with fresh tomatoes but you won't get the same taste and color at the end. I'm not adding any oil into my stew since I'm using a lean meat.