One pot cooking. This easy beef stew is nicely flavored. Serve with some fresh bread.
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in heavy large pot over high heat.
Sprinkle meat with salt and pepper.
Add meat to pot; saute until brown on all sides, about 10 minutes.
Push meat to sides of pot.
Reduce heat to medium; add 2 tablespoons oil to pot.
Add onions; saute until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
Mix meat into onions.
Add potato quarters and mix to coat with oils.
Add 1 cup wine, tomatoes with juices, garlic, herbs, soy sauce, and bay leaves.
Add water, 1/2 cup at at time to cover vegetables.
Bring to boil.
Reduce heat to low, cover pot and simmer 50 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add carrots and 1 cup wine.
Cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Uncover, increase heat to high; boil until sauce is slightly thickened, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes longer.
Reduce heat to medium, add cornstarch mixture and simmer until sauce thickens, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Shut off.
Discard bay leaves.
Season stew with salt and pepper.