Beef Stew - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 tablespoons oil
2 lbs beef stew meat
1 (1 ounce) package onion soup mix (dry)
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon dried fines herbes
1 tablespoon parsley
4 -5 minced garlic cloves, chopped fine
1/2 cup red wine (optional)
5 potatoes, diced
5 carrots, diced (small carrots)
1 (10 ounce) can mixed vegetables
3 tablespoons brown gravy mix (Bistro)

Preparation

In hot skillet, put 2 tbsp oil, brown beef.
Let juices reduce by half.
Mix in onion soup mix and cover with water.
Add bay leaf, fines herbes, parsley and garlic.
Let simmer for 45 minutes or 1 hour.
Add potatoes and carrots.
Let simmer 45 minutes or until potatoes & carrots are done.
Add 3 tbsp of Bistro in a cup with a little bit of water to blend well and then add to the pot and stir to mix well.
Continue simmering for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Cook time is 1 hour & 40 minutes.