Ingredients:
– **1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) beef stew meat** (chuck or round), cut into 1-inch cubes
– **2 tablespoons vegetable oil**
– **1 large onion**, chopped
– **3 cloves garlic**, minced
– **4 large carrots**, peeled and sliced
– **3 large potatoes**, peeled and diced
– **2 tablespoons tomato paste**
– **1 cup red wine** (optional, replace with beef broth if preferred)
– **3 cups beef broth**
– **2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce**
– **1 teaspoon dried thyme**
– **1 teaspoon dried rosemary**
– **2 bay leaves**
– **Salt and black pepper** to taste
– **1 cup frozen peas** (optional, added towards the end of cooking)
– **2 tablespoons all-purpose flour** (for thickening, optional)
### Instructions:
1. **Brown the Beef:**
– Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
– Add the beef cubes in batches to avoid overcrowding. Brown the beef on all sides. Remove and set aside.
2. **Sauté Aromatics:**
– In the same pot, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
– Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
3. **Deglaze and Combine:**
– Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes.
– Pour in the red wine (if using) and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let it reduce by half.
4. **Simmer the Stew:**
– Return the beef to the pot. Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.
– Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender.
5. **Add Vegetables:**
– Add the carrots and potatoes to the pot. Continue simmering for an additional 30-40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
6. **Thicken (Optional):**
– If you prefer a thicker stew, mix the flour with a small amount of cold water to create a slurry. Stir it into the stew and cook for an additional 10 minutes until thickened.
7. **Final Touches:**
– Stir in the frozen peas (if using) and cook for 5 more minutes.
– Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove and discard bay leaves.
8. **Serve:**
– Serve the stew hot with crusty bread or over rice for a complete meal.
Enjoy your comforting beef stew!