First Part: 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes 2 tablespoons cooking oil 1 large tomato, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 4 garlic cloves, minced 1 medium onion, chopped Note: addtl onion in part 2 below 3 bay leaves 12 sprigs of thyme (stalks removed) 1 TBSP salt 4 TBSP balsamic vinegar 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/2 of a jalapeño Second Part: 2 or 3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes 3 to 4 medium carrots, sliced 1 large green pepper, cut into large pieces 8 ounces of mushrooms, cut in fourths 3 stalks of celery 1 large cabbage cut into eights (remove the core) 1 medium onion cut into large pieces