Savoury Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 2 lb stewing beef, cubed
• 1 lb potato
• 1 onion, diced 
• 5 celery stalks
• 5 carrots
• ½ c. red wine (optional)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 dried bay leaf
• 3 Tbsp tomato paste
• 6 c. beef stock
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1 c. water

Preparation

1. Season stewing beef with garlic powder, salt and pepper.
2. Chop celery, carrots and potatoes into roughly 1 inch pieces.
3. Brown meat over medium-high heat in a large pot.  Turn every few minutes to brown on all sides.
4. Remove meat from the pot. 
5. Add onion, celery, carrots and potatoes to the pot.  Cook until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes.  
6. Add dried herbs and tomato paste, stir and let cook another minute.
7. Deglaze the bottom of the pot with wine, (or ½ cup of stock).
8. Return the meat to the pot. 
9. Add remaining stock, and bring to a boil.
10. Lower heat to a simmer, cover and let cook for 60 minutes. 
11. Mix cornstarch in water to create a slurry.  Add to stew, replace cover and simmer for another 30 minutes.
12. Serve alone, or with a crusty bread.