Beef Stew with Potatoes and Carrots

Ingredients

• 0.3 cup balsamic vinegar 
• 5 pounds beef chuck boneless lean cut into 2-inch pieces (not )
• 1.5 pounds carrots 
• 3 rib celery quartered
• 12 servings accompaniment: crusty bread 
• 750 ml cooking wine dry red ()
• 1 head garlic halved
• 3 cups beef broth reduced-sodium
• 3 tablespoons olive oil 
• 2 medium onions quartered
• 2  thyme sprigs 
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste 
• 2  turkish bay leaf 
• 3 cups water 
• 2.5 pounds potatoes white boiling

Equipment

• bowl
• oven
• pot
• colander

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
2. Pat beef dry and season with 2 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.
3. Heat oil in pot over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then brown meat, without crowding, in 3 batches, turning, about 8 minutes per batch.
4. Transfer to a platter.
5. Reduce heat to medium, then add carrots, celery, onions, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until well browned, about 12 minutes.
6. Push vegetables to one side of pot.
7. Add tomato paste to cleared area and cook paste, stirring, 2 minutes, then stir into vegetables.
8. Add vinegar and cook, stirring, 2 minutes.
9. Stir in wine, bay leaves, and thyme and boil until wine is reduced by about two thirds, 10 to 12 minutes.
10. Add broth to pot along with water, beef, and any juices from platter and bring to a simmer. Cover and braise in oven until meat is very tender, about 2 1/2 hours.
11. Set a large colander in a large bowl.
12. Pour stew into colander. Return pieces of meat to pot, then discard remaining solids.
13. Let cooking liquid stand 10 minutes.
14. While beef braises, peel potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch-wide wedges. Slice carrots diagonally (1-inch).
15. Add potatoes and carrots to stew (make sure they are submerged) and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until potatoes and carrots are tender, about 40 minutes.
16. Stew improves in flavor if made at least 1 day ahead. Chill (covered once cool) up to 5 days. Reheat, covered, over medium heat or in a 350°F oven.