Classic Beef Stew, · 3 servings

Heat the oven to 163 °C with a rack in the lower middle.

Pat the 1.5 lb boneless beef chuck, well marbled dry and season it with the 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper.

Heat a tablespoon of the 1 ½ tbsp olive oil in the Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Brown the beef in three batches, about 5 min per batch, adding another tablespoon of oil for each batch. Set the browned beef aside on a plate.

Add the 1 yellow onion, 3 ½ cloves garlic and 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar to the pot and cook, stirring and scraping up the browned bits, for about 5 min.

Stir in the 2 ¼ tsp tomato paste and cook for 1 min. Return the beef and its juices, sprinkle over the 2 tbsp all purpose flour and stir for 1 min to 2 min.

Add the 1 cup dry red wine, 1 cup beef broth, 1 cup water, ½ leaf bay leaf, ¼ tsp dried thyme and ¾ tsp sugar. Stir to loosen anything stuck to the bottom and bring to a boil.

Cover the pot, move it to the oven and braise for 2 h.

Stir in the 2 carrots and 8 oz small white boiling potatoes, such as baby Yukon Golds, cover and return to the oven for about 1 h more.

Fish out the bay leaf, taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve hot with fresh parsley, chopped, to serve, or cool and refrigerate overnight for even better flavour.