Beef Tzimmes

Name: Beef Tzimmes
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 195 min
Total time: 225 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 3 pounds boneless beef chuck (well-marbled), cut into 1½-inch pieces; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 2 medium yellow onions, cut into 1-inch chunks; 5 large cloves garlic, peeled and smashed; 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; ¼ cup all-purpose flour; ½ cup orange juice, from 2 oranges; ½ cup water; 4 cups beef broth; 1 bay leaf; 2 sprigs fresh rosemary; 4 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, divided; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into one-inch chunks on a diagonal; ½ cup dried apricots; 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into one-inch chunks; ½ cup prunes