2 pounds beef stew meatbr Salt and Black Pepperbr ¼ teaspoon ground cuminbr 2 tablespoons all purpose flourbr 2 tablespoons vegetable oilbr 1 cup chopped white onionbr 2 cloves garlic choppedbr 4 cups beef stockbr 1 14 oz can tomato saucebr 2 bay leaves br 2 cups carrotsbr 2 cups potatoes