1. **Cut the Beef:** Begin by cutting your beef stew meat into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
2. **Prepare Vegetables and Mushrooms:** Chop the onion, mince garlic, slice shiitake mushrooms, dice carrots, celery, and cube sweet potatoes.
3. **Sauté Aromatics:** Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook until fragrant and onions are translucent (about 5 minutes).
4. **Add Beef and Mushrooms:** Stir in the beef pieces and sliced shiitake mushrooms. Sear for about 5-7 minutes, or until the beef has a nice brown color.
**Cooking:**
1. **Deglaze with Broth:** Pour in enough beef broth to cover the meat and vegetables by about an inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, add tomato paste, bay leaves, thyme sprigs, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes.
2. **Add Root Vegetables:** After 20 minutes, add diced carrots, celery, and cubed sweet potatoes. Stir well to combine.
3. **Simmer Further:** Continue to simmer the stew for another 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
4. **Thicken if Needed:** If you prefer a thicker stew, mix cornstarch with a tablespoon of water in a small bowl and stir this mixture into the stew. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until it thickens to your liking.
**Finalizing:**
1. **Add Baby Vegetables:** Stir in baby peas during the last 5 minutes of cooking time so they can heat through without overcooking.
2. **Season and Serve:** Taste, adjust seasoning if necessary, then remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme before serving.
#### Tips for Perfect Results:
- Use high-quality beef stew meat for the best flavor.
- Don’t overcrowd your pot; cook in batches if needed to ensure even cooking.
- For a richer taste, add red wine during the initial sautéing of onions and garlic.
By following these steps, you'll create a hearty, flavorful beef stew with shiitake mushrooms and baby vegetables that is perfect for cold weather or any time you're looking for comfort food. Enjoy your meal!