Sweet and Sour Beef Stew

1 1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons cooking oil
1 cup chopped carrot
1 cup sliced onion
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
Hot cooked noodles
Poppy seed (optional)

Brown meat in hot oil. Add next 8 ingredients. Cover and cook over low heat until meat is tender, about 2 hours.

Combine cornstarch and cold water; add to beef mixture. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Serve over noodles sprinkled with poppy seed. Garnish with car rot curls and parsley, if desired.

Makes 4 servings.