Savory Beef Stew

Combine flour and salt if desired; coat beef cubes. Reserve remaining flour mixture. Place beef in a Dutch oven. Add bacon if desired. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees F for 30 minutes. Add onions, 1-1/2 cups cranberry juice, broth and seasonings. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour. Add carrots and potatoes; bake 1 hour or until meat and vegetables are tender. Combine reserved flour mixture and remaining cranberry juice until smooth; stir into stew. Cover and bake 30 minutes longer. Remove bay leaf. Add peas; return to the oven for 5 minutes.