Step 1

Season beef with a few generous pinches of salt and pepper.  Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat.  Add half of beef to pan.  Cook until seared, turning the beef every 30-45 seconds or so until all sides are browned.  Remove beef from pan with a slotted spoon, and transfer to a clean plate.  Add an additional 1 tablespoon oil to the stockpot, and repeat this process with the remaining half of the beef, transferring it afterwards to the plate as well.

Step 2

Add the onion to the stockpot (adding extra oil if needed, but usually there is leftover drippings/oil from the beef) and saute for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute, stirring occasionally.  Then stir in the flour until it has evenly coated the onions, and cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally.  Gradually stir in the Guinness, and use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen any of those yummy brown bits. Stir in the beef stock, carrots, potatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, thyme, and the cooked beef (along with any of its accumulated juices). Continue cooking until the stew reaches a simmer.  Then cover and reduce heat to medium-low.  Simmer over low for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the potatoes are soft.

Step 3

Remove bay leaf and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 4

Serve warm garnished with chopped parsley if desired.