I made brandied beef and vegetable stew. Weird thing - wife is on a business dinner. I made it because my kids love it.
Step 1: sear
3 pounds beef stew chunks
1 ts salt, 1 ts pepper, 2tbls flour, onion and garlic powder to taste
Mix them together and let sit while you pour olive oil into a Dutch oven. Brown on medium high heat and leave in the pan.
Step 2: veggies
1 medium onion diced
1 large parsnip diced
3 ribs celery diced
3 cups shredded carrot
I like the different texture of shredded carrot. It's a cheap shortcut. Pour cut up veggies into the seared meat and mix. Mixing should continue until the veggies soften, about 15 minutes.
Step 3: liquid
2 cups beef broth
1/2 cup red wine
1/2 cup brandy
You have to raise the heat to high to boil off all that booze. Because of the flour in the first step, this will reduce to a beef gravy in 15 minutes. Check bottom with a wooden spoon so it doesn't burn.
Step 4: braise
28 oz can diced tomatoes
2 cups mushrooms
Pinch of dried oregano and thyme
This is where you put the top on the Dutch oven, set it to low, and braise at around 200 degrees for two hours.
Step 5: finish
Two cloves garlic, 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped fine.
Throw this in the pot, stir, and re-close with the heat off until you are ready to eat.