Sicilian Stew - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 lb. lean stew beef
1 (16 oz.) can tomatoes
1 c. beef broth
1/2 c. dry red wine
1/4 c. tapioca
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 bay leaves
2 tsp. each fresh or 1 teaspoon marjoram, oregano and basil
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. fresh or 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. dry red pepper flakes
2 medium onions, cut up
4 stalks celery, cut up
2 to 4 potatoes, cut up
4 to 6 carrots, cut up
1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms
1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen peas, thawed (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 275\u00b0.
Mix together all ingredients through the celery in
a
large Dutch oven and bake 4 hours.
Add potatoes and carrots. Cover and bake 1 1/4 hours more or until vegetables are tender.
Saute mushrooms over medium heat.
Add mushrooms and peas to stew and bake 15 minutes more. Discard bay leaves.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.