Peel onion, garlic and carrots. Dice onion, mince garlic and slice carrots. Place in a plastic bag or container and refrigerate until using.
+ at least 90 minutes simmer time Heat oil in a large stock pot. Add onion, garlic and carrots. Season to taste and cook for 5 minutes. While vegetables cook, cut beef into cubes. Add to the pot and cook an additional 3 minutes. Pour in the beef stock, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and seasonings. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for at least 1 1/2 – 2 hours. (Can be simmered all day, if desired. It would probably would great in a crock pot too!)
+ 30 minutes simmer time Return pot to boiling. Meanwhile, wash and cube the potatoes. Add the potatoes to the pot once the liquid is boiling. Stir to combine. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Stir in the tomato paste just before serving.