Slow Cooker Asian-Style Beef Stew

Ingredients

• • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) ketchup
  • 2 lbs (1 kg) stewing beef cubes
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) brown sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 star anise (optional)
  • 1 small cinnamon stick
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1 1/2-inch (4-cm) cubes
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
  • Pepper