Irish Beef Stew

1/4 cup olive oil

 1 1/4 pounds stew beef, cut into 1-inch pieces

 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 tablespoons tomato paste

 1 tablespoon sugar

 1 tablespoon dried thyme

 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

 2 bay leaves

2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter

 3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 7 cups)

 1 large onion, chopped

2 cups 1/2-inch pieces peeled carrots

 Salt and Pepper

 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

 Heat olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add beef and sauté until brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute. 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.  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 one has simmered for one hour. Add vegetables to beef stew. Simmer uncovered until vegetables and beef are very tender, about 40 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Tilt pan and spoon off fat. Transfer stew to serving bowl. Sprinkle with parsley and serve. (Can be prepared up to 2 days ahead. Salt and pepper to taste. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before serving.)

Serves 4 to 6.