INGREDIENTS for the Classic Beef Stew Recipe:

• 6 oz thick sliced bacon chopped into 1/4" wide strips
• 2 - 2 1/2 lbs boneless beef chuck or good quality stew meat trimmed and cut into 1" pieces
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups good red wine such as Soft Red or Pinot Noir (see note above)
• 1 lb mushrooms thickly sliced
• 4 large carrots peeled and cut into 1/2" thick pieces
• 1 medium yellow onion diced
• 4 garlic cloves chopped
• 1 Tbsp tomato paste
• 4 cups low sodium beef broth or beef stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 lb small potatoes new potatoes, or fingerling, halved or quartered