In a large non stick pan, heat a splash of olive oil then brown the strips of beef, no need to cook them through, just quickly brown them and then add to the slow cooker. Add the minced garlic to the slow cooker and mix into the beef strips.

Mix the stock powder with the hot water, when mixed, add the corn starch and mix. Pour this into the slow cooker along with the black pepper, soy sauce, chopped tomatoes and juice, sugar, and onion. Slice the bell peppers and refrigerate. Set the slow cooker to Low setting for 6-8 hours or High setting for 3-4 hours. For low setting, at the 4 hour mark, add the sliced bell pepper and mix in. For high setting, at the 2 hour mark, add the sliced bell pepper and mix in, continue cooking. This keeps the bell pepper crunchy and not turning to mush.

When the beef is tender and cooked through, mix 1 tablespoon of corn starch with just enough water to make a paste, then stir that into the pot and cook for another 10 or 15 minutes, this will thicken the sauce to a gravy like consistency. Serve over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or in a bun with a slice of Swiss cheese.