Beef Stew with Mashed Potatoes

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.

2. Add beef cubes and brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.

3. In the same pot, sauté onion until soft.

4. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

5. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes.

6. Return beef to the pot and add carrots, diced potatoes, beef broth, thyme, paprika, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.

7. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until beef is tender.

8. If a thicker stew is desired, mix flour with a little water and stir into the stew.

9. Add peas in the last 10 minutes of cooking.

10. Meanwhile, boil potatoes for mashed potatoes until soft (15–20 minutes).

11. Drain and mash potatoes with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until creamy.

12. Serve beef stew hot over a bed of mashed potatoes.