My teenage son is always asking for hearty meat dishes, so I've been doing a lot of experimentation over the last couple of years. I'm in the middle of trying something new and cooking my first beef-only stew as I write. It has a rich, dark flavor, with a hint of spicyness. It's so flavorful and delicious I couldn't wait to share it!

I'm making it over 2 days, so leave time.

*This is my original recipe, so please don't post it anywhere without checking with me first. Thanks!*

Step 1: Ingredients

You can make this dish using just one pot. Choose something fairly large with a good surface for browning.

3 - 4 pounds of cubed beef (Costco's stewing beef is perfect)

1 jar medium heat, red salsa - 12 oz.

About 2 oz. whiskey - like Jack Daniels

About 2T olive oil

6-8 crushed garlic cloves

1t dried oregano

dash of cumin

2 bay leaves

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

Step 2: Season

Add the garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano and beef to your pot. Mix well and let sit for about an hour to season the meat.

Step 3: Brown

Turn the heat on the pot and brown the meat. You don't have to get every piece, just do the best you can. This will also help caramelize the garlic.

Step 4: Liquids

Add everything else except the bay leaves. Stir really well. Now stick the leaves in the liquid.

Using a medium heat, bring the stew to a boil. Then cover and reduce the heat to a low simmer.

Step 5: Patience

Simmer on the lowest possible heat for 2 hours.

Leave covered and turn off the heat until slowly cooled. (Leave the pot on the burner)

Put the pot in the frig overnight.

Step 6: Next Day

Put the covered pot back on the stove and bring to a low boil on a medium heat. Lower the heat and continue to simmer until the meat is very soft - about 2 hours.

Now it's time to reduce the sauce. Remove the lid and keep simmering. You may have to turn the heat up a little. Simmer and occasionally stir the stew until the sauce is the thickness of pasta sauce. Check the seasoning and add salt and/or pepper if it needs it. It will probably need salt.