Top Of The Stove Stew

2 lbs stewing meat, cut up
2 tbsp cooking oil
3-4 cups boiling water
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 medium onions, cut up
3 cups potatoes, cut up
2 cups carrots, cut up
1 cup frozen peas

Put meat and oil in a large heavy pot and brown meat.  Pour water over top almost covering meat.  Add salt and pepper and cover.  Bring to a boil and allow to simmer for 1 1/2 hours until tender.  Cut onions in fairly large pieces and add to meat.  Peel and cut potatoes and add to pot.  Peel carrots and cut into pieces not quite as large as the potatoes.  Cover and bring to a boil again.  Allow to simmer for 30 minutes until veggies are tender.  Stir in peas and bring to a boil once more.  If stew appears too dry than add more water.  Remove from heat.