Italian Beef Stew
From Fran (USA)

Serves 6

Ingredients:

3 lbs. beef stew meat, cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes.
salt and pepper
1/2 cup butter
2 1/2 lb small onions, peeled
1 six oz. can tomato paste
1/3 cup red wine
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1 cinnamon stick
1/4 teaspoon ground clovers
2 Tablespoons raisins (optional)

Directions:
Season meat with salt and pepper. Melt butter in Dutch oven or heavy kettle with cover. Add meat and coat with butter but do not brown. Arrange onions over meat. Mix tomato paste, wine, vinegar, sugar and garlic; pour over meat and onions. Add bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, cumin and currants (if desired). Cover kettle and simmer 3 hours or until meat is tender. (Do not stir.)

Prep Time: 20/30 minutes        Cooking Time: 3 hours