slow cooker hearty beef stew

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds beef stew meat cut into 1" pieces
• - black pepper, ground
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 pound medium potatoes, cut into cubes (about 3 cups)
• 4 medium carrots, sliced (about 2 cups)
• 2 medium onions, cut into wedges
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 1/4 cups beef broth or beef stock
• 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
• 1 - bay leaf
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed