Irish Beef Stew

Ingredients:
¼ cup olive oil
1¼ pounds well-marbled chuck beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces (NOT extra-lean)
6 large garlic cloves, minced
6 cups beef stock or canned beef broth
1 cup of Guinness beer
1 cup of fine red wine
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp dried thyme
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 bay leaves
2 Tbsp (1/4 stick) butter
3 lbs russet potatoes, peeled, cut into ½" pieces (about 7 cups)
1 large onion, chopped
2 cups ½" pieces peeled carrots
Salt and Pepper
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Method:

1. Heat olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Lightly salt the beef pieces. Working in batches if necessary, add the beef (do not crowd the pan, or the meat will steam and not brown) and cook, without stirring, until nicely browned on one side, then use tongs to turn the pieces over. Continue to cook in this manner until all sides are browned, about 5 minutes. 
2. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute. 
3. Add beef stock, Guinness, red wine, tomato paste, sugar, thyme, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves. Stir to combine. Bring mixture to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, then cover and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
4. While the meat and stock is simmering, melt butter in another large pot over medium heat. Add potatoes, onion and carrots. Sauté vegetables until golden, about 20 minutes. Set aside until the beef stew in step 3 has simmered for 1 hour.
5. Add vegetables to beef stew. Simmer uncovered until vegetables and beef are very tender, about 40 minutes. 
6. Discard bay leaves. Tilt pan and spoon off fat. 
7. Transfer stew to serving bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with parsley and serve. 

Serves 4 to 6.

Note
Can be prepared up to 2 days ahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before serving.