Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 pounds beef stew meat cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon Essence recipe follows
• 3/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 pound button mushrooms thinly sliced (optional)
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups veal or beef stock at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/4 cup red wine or Madeira
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 pound small (golf ball size) new potatoes quartered
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 2 large Shallots sliced
• 1/2 frozen green peas
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves