Irish Pub Beef Stew

Irish Pub Beef Stew 1 1/2 lbs beef, cut into chunks (splurge on the cut if you can) 1/4 cup butter 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can tomato soup 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can water 4 carrots, cut into chunks 4 large potatoes, cut into chunks (I don't peel carrots or spuds but you can if you like) 2 stalks celery, cut into chunks 4 onions, cut into chunks 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped fine 1/4 cup good quality cooking sherry 2 bay leaves Preheat oven to 300F degrees. In a heavy skillet brown the beef in the butter over medium high heat. Add the soup and water and stir well. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring once. Transfer to a cast iron dutch oven or oven proof pot and cook in the oven, covered for 5 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven, remove bay leaves and serve with Irish Soda Bread and butter.