2 pounds stew meat (nicely marbled beef chunks)
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons oil
10 cups water
3 mounded tablespoons good quality beef base
3 stalks celery (about 2 cups), chopped
2 onions, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 large potato, peeled and shredded, about 2 cups
3-4 large carrots...