Irish Beef Stew - Better Than Bouillon

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1½ inch pieces
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large yellow onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 tablespoon Better Than Bouillon Roasted Beef Base
• 6 cups water
• .5 cup stout beer
• 1 can (6-ounce) tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon ground thyme
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• .5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 5 carrots, peeled, cut into ½ inch pieces (about 2 cups)
• 6 large potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 3 pounds)
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with ½ cup cold water (starch slurry)