Best Ever Crockpot Beef Stew

1) In a medium/large skillet, cook the 3 pieces of bacon until crunchy. Crumble into pieces and throw into the crockpot. Season the beef with salt and pepper and then brown on both sides in the same skillet as the bacon. Set beef in crockpot with the bacon.

2) Slice your onion, sprinkling the paprika, balsamic vinegar and brown sugar over the slices, and sautée it in same pan as bacon/beef for about 2-3 minutes until they just start to become fragrant. Add onion slices to crockpot with the beef and bacon, scraping all the bits from the pan into the crockpot.

3) In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the beef broth, wine, ketchup and tomato paste. Pour the mixture over beef and onion mixture in the crockpot. Add the thyme, rosemary, garlic cloves, carrots and potatoes. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-7.

4) About 1 hour before cooking time is through, take almost all of the broth from the crockpot (a turkey baster works well) and set it aside in a bowl. In a separate small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once the butter is melted, slowly whisk the flour into it, stirring constantly, until the two are fully combined. When they're fully incorporated, slowly whisk in the liquid from the crockpot until a thick gravy starts to form (about 3-5 minutes). Keep wishing until combined, then add the gravy back to the meat and veggies in the crockpot and stir to coat. Let cook for another 1/2 hr- 1 hr on low. Serve hot with a huge piece of crusty bread, or over mashed potatoes!