A hearty stew for a winter's day...

If you live in Maine, you know that a typical winter's day can be pretty cold and there is nothing like warming up to a hearty bowl of stew.  Lately though it hasn't felt much like winter.  We have just a dusting of snow on the ground, one day it's 10 degrees out and the next day it's in the high 40's.  If you grew up in New England though it's almost instinct that during the winter months no matter the weather you crave the comfort of hearty meals.

Beef Stew

2 pounds stew beef                                     2 tablespoons olive oil

4 cups water                                               2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 clove garlic, minced                                  1 bay leaves                            

1 medium onion, sliced and quartered

1 teaspoon agave nectar                             1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper                                   1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 tsp Beef Base                                          Dash ground cloves

3 large carrots, sliced                                  3 medium potatoes, cubed

2 small parsnips, sliced                               2 tablespoons cornstarch

Brown meat in hot oil. Add water, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, bay leaves, onion, salt, agave nectar, beef base, pepper, paprika, and ground cloves. Cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours. Remove bay leaves. Add carrots, potatoes, parsnips. Cover and cook 30 to 40 minutes longer. To thicken stew, remove 2 cups hot liquid. Using a separate bowl, combine 1/4 cup water and cornstarch until smooth. Mix with a little hot liquid and return mixture to pot. Stir and cook until bubbly.

Serve with dumplings.