Foryoueats: Beef Tzimmes

Ingredients

• 3 pounds boneless beef chuck (well-marbled), cut into 1½-inch pieces
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 medium yellow onions, cut into 1-inch 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 one-inch chunks on a diagonal
• ½ cup dried apricots
• 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into one-inch chunks
• ½ cup prunes