Beef Mechado

Ingredients

• 2 to 2 ½ lbs beef cubes (brisket or fattier eye of round* see Notes)
• 1 Tablespoon vinegar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 Tablespoons canola oil
• 1 large onion (finely chopped)
• 5 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
• 4 matoes (chopped)
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 cups water** see Notes
• 2-3 Yukon gold potatoes (quartered)
• 1 big carrot (cut in chunks like the potatoes)
• 1 big red bell pepper (cut into 1 inch cubes)
• Salt
• pepper