The Best Damn Beef Stew Ever (with AIP version)

First, chop and prep all your ingredients.Start up the broth and red wine in a large dutch oven: bring it to a low simmer. I typically start off with about ½ bottle of wine and 2 cups or broth, then add more to desired thickness as the stew cooks. (I like it very thick).Meanwhile, season the cubed meat with a little salt and pepper. Heat the oil, bacon fat or butter in a cast iron skillet over a medium flame then cook the meat until brown on all sides. You may need to cook the meat in two batches to avoid crowding. Add the beef to the dutch oven. Add kombu strips to the dutch oven (heretofore referred to as the "pot"). Deglaze the skillet with some of the broth from the dutch oven and scrape the browned bits + deglazed broth back in to the pot.Add onions and garlic to the skillet and sautee til translucent - about 5-8 minutes, then add to pot. Deglaze the pan with a little of the simmering stock; add deglazed broth back to pot, and then add the potatoes; cook until they start to get a little crust on them but not all the way done. Add to pot. Deglaze skillet, add deglazed broth back to pot. Do the carrots next; add to pot, deglaze, etc etc; then finally the mushrooms. You don't want to cook all the veggies until they're all the way done, because they come out mushy. Just about ½ way there or so.Add more wine/stock if needed for desired thickness, then add all other spices. I typically add garlic powder and possibly some Italian seasoning too. Bring to a simmer then reduce heat to low and cook for about an hour or so, adding more wine/stock as needed.Taste to adjust the seasonings. Add whatever is needed, or more wine/broth if you want it less thick. If it's too watery for your taste, add a little coconut flour. Add the optional frozen green peas (I love them because they give it a bit of a fresh green crunch) and heat through until done but not mushy. Garnish with the chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy with raw kraut.