Pork Stew with Vegetables, Maple and Za’atar

Ingredients

• 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil
• 1,125 kg (2 1/2 lb) Québec pork, cubed
• 250 ml (1 cup) red, brown, or amber ale
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 medium rutabaga, cut into large chunks
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 1/2 medium celeriac, cut into large chunks
• 80 ml (1/3 cup) maple syrup (preferably amber syrup for its rich flavour)
• 250 ml (1 cup) chicken broth
• 16 g (2 tbsp) cornstarch or unbleached all-purpose flour (optional)
• 4 à 6 g (2 à 3 tsp) za’atar*
• Salt and freshly-ground pepper