Tony's Fantastic Beef Stew | Life is a Palindrome

Ingredients

• 2-4 lbs. stew beef
• 1/4 c. fat
• 1 lg. onion, sliced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 lg. tomatoes, diced
• 2 leeks, white and tender green parts, well-washed and sliced
• 2 stalks celery, sliced
• 1 rutabaga, peeled and cut into chunks (optional)
• 1 bunch kale, cut into ribbons (optional)
• 10-20 mushrooms, sliced
• 4-6 carrots, sliced
• 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 2 bay leaves, partially crumbled
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 2-inch strip orange peel
• 2 T. tomato paste
• 2 c. dry red wine
• 3 c. chicken stock, beef stock, or water (plus more as needed)
• 1 bunch fresh basil (or 1 tsp. dry)
• Salt and pepper (might not need any salt if you've brined the meat)
• 2 medium zucchinis, quartered and cut into 3-inch sticks
• 8 sm. potatoes (optional)