| 2 tablespoons vegetable oil |
| 24 baby onions, peeled and trimmed |
| 1/2 cup all-purpose flour |
| 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper |
| 5 pounds beef chuck, trimmed of all fat and cut into 1 1/2- inch cubes |
| 2 tablespoons tomato paste |
| 2 1/2 cups beef broth or stock |
| 3 medium carrots, peeled, cut into 1/4-inch slices |
| Cooked hot noodles, for serving |