A good stew depends on a couple of things... good stew meat and a good pot.
Depending on the size of the crowd, start with:
1 pound good, lean round or chuck steak cubed into about 1 inch size
1/2 teaspoon (Sorry, but Ilive in the U.S.) garlic
2 medium white or yellow onions
4 to 5 medium potatos (we use red ones)
4 to 5 good size carrots
4 to 5 good size celery stalks
1 large can whole tomatos, with liquid
Coarse ground pepper and salt
Basil
Red Pepper flakes
Olive oil
In a good heavy pot (we have a cast iron dutch oven over 100 years old, about 6 quart size), bring the heat up to at least medium high. Dice the onions (not to small) and saute' in about 1/4 cup olive oil just until translucent. Add the garlic (again coarsely diced, about 4 cloves). When translucent, add the meat and brown on all sides. Add the basil, about 1/4 cup if fresh, and a palm full if dried. Add the pepper flakes (your choice, I'd use the same as the basil), salt and pepper to taste.
Let this simmer on slightly lower heat for about 10 to 15 minutes while you coarsley dice the remainin vegetables. Add perhaps 2 cups of water and add the vegetables. Place the lid on the pot and walk away... just walk away. In about 30 minutes come back to see if it's simmering, not boiling and taste to adjust the salt pepper and other condiments as you desire. This is about the right time to add the tomatos and thier liquid. Again, let it simmer until the potatos are fork tender but not falling apart.
You may wish to stir about a tablespoon (large palm full) of plain flour in 1/4 cup cold water until a paste is made and then stir into the pot to thicken.
Make some good American biscuits... no not cookies... biscuits...
(Contd.)