Carbonada Criolla I

Ingredients

 * 3 tablespoons olive oil
 * 2 pounds stewing beef, in 1-inch chunks
 * 4 large tomatoes, coarsely chopped
 * 1 green pepper, coarsely chopped
 * 3 cloves garlic, minced
 * 2 bay leaves
 * 1 teaspoon oregano, crushed
 * salt and pepper to taste
 * 2 cups chicken stock
 * 1 cup white wine
 * 3 baking potatoes, 1 inch dice
 * 3 sweet potatoes, 1 inch dice
 * 2 ears corn, cut into 1 inch widths
 * 2 zucchini or yellow squash, in 1/2 inch dice
 * 2 peaches in 1/2 inch dice
 * 2 pears in 1/2 inch dice

Directions

 * 1) Heat oil in heavy pot.
 * 2) Brown beef in batches.
 * 3) Remove from pan and set aside.
 * 4) Cook tomatoes, pepper, onion and garlic until soft.
 * 5) Add seasonings, stock and wine.
 * 6) Bring to boil scraping up browned bits, then return beef to pot with potatoes and sweet potatoes.
 * 7) Cover and simmer 15 minutes.
 * 8) Stir in corn and squash.
 * 9) Simmer 10 more minutes, until vegetables are almost fully tender, then add fruits and cook only 5 minutes more.