2 pounds sir tips or stew beef

1/4 pound bacon

2 large onion

4 cloves garlic

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 1/2 cups dry red wine

1 tablespoon chile powder

1 teaspoon each rosemary,thyme, oregano

2 each bay leaves

1 dash tabasco sauce, or habanero sauce

salt and pepper 2 tablespoons corn starch

2 1/2 cups hot beef broth

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

In a large flame proof casserole dish, add bacon, olive oil, onions, and garlic. Saute until tender. Add beef, sugar, vinegar, wine, broth, chile,herbs, tabasco, and salt and pepper. Place lid on dish to keep in juices. Cook on high for 10 min, then reduce to simmer for 1 hour. Remove lid, discard bay leaves, mix in corn starch. Add a little more wine, cook on high for 10 min., stirring often, until thick. Serve over rice or pasta.Options- throw a couple of thais, habs or serranos to kick it up a little. I also used hab sauce instead of tabasco. Really great dish.