Beef Tzimmes - Once Upon a Chef

Ingredients

• 3 pounds boneless beef chuck, ((well-marbled), cut into 1½-inch (4-cm) pieces)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 medium yellow onions, (cut into 1-inch (2.5-cm) chunks)
• 5 large cloves garlic, (peeled and smashed)
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup orange juice, (from 2 oranges)
• ½ cup water
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 4 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, (divided)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 4 large carrots, (peeled and cut into 1-inch (2.5-cm) chunks on a diagonal)
• ½ cup dried apricots
• 1 pound sweet potatoes, (peeled and cut into 1-inch (2.5-cm) chunks)
• ½ cup prunes