Favourite Beef Stew

• 2 - 2 1/2 lbs lean beef, cut into cubes
• 2 tablespoons light olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter (or margarine)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
• 4 cups beef stock
• salt & pepper
• 1/4 cup red wine (recommended!) (optional)
• 6 -8 carrots, coarsely chopped
• 6 -8 potatoes, coarsely chopped
• 6 -8 small onions, coarsely chopped
• 1 (28 ounce) can Italian tomatoes, drained & chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

1. Pat meat dry with a paper towel.
2. Heat oil & butter together in a large heavy saucepan.
3. Add meat & cook, stirring constantly, until browned all over.
4. Remove from pot, cover & set aside.
5. To juices remaining in pot, add chopped onion & cook, stirring often, until tender.
6. Add a little more butter, if necessary.
7. Stir in flour & cook, stirring, until mixture is golden.
8. Return meat to pot.
9. Add next 6 ingredients (if using wine, I recommend adding this first to deglaze) - bring to a boil, stirring up browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
10. Reduce heat, cover & simmer until the meat is tender- about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
11. Add vegetables & continue to simmer until veggies are tender- about 30 minutes.
12. Taste & adjust seasoning, if necessary.
13. Sprinkle with parsley.

lean beef, light olive oil, butter, onion, flour, bay leaf, thyme, beef stock, salt, red wine, carrots, potatoes, onions, italian tomatoes, fresh italian parsley

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/favourite-beef-stew-72839 (may not work)