Heat the shortening in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the beef
and brown it well, turning on all sides. Remove from the pot and set
aside.
In the same Dutch oven, add the chopped onions and sauté until
tender. Return the meat to the pan, add the water, bouillon cubes,
garlic, parsley, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer
until just tender, about 30 minutes.
Cut the potatoes and carrots in chunks and the celery into 3-inch
sections.
When the meat is tender, add the potatoes, carrots, pearl onions,
and celery. Cook for 1 hour, or until the vegetables are tender, adding
the tomatoes 20 minutes before the end of cooking. Serve with
crackers or cornbread.