i made this a little different, wanting to make a flavorful stew so i marinated huge chunks of boneless shortribs overnite in the marinade. i seared the cubes the next day in a heavy ovenable dutch oven and tasted one of them and omg what flavor! at that time i wished i had not cubed it up and would have put it on the grill for sure. it had killer flavor and a tender chew and no doubt will try it next time that way. back to the stew, after searing in batches, i added all meat and marinade back in the pot, added beef stock and a shot of sirachi chili sauce, brought to boil, and then put in 200' oven for about 2 hours. added chunks of carrot and daikon, and ready to use chestnuts, brought back to a boil, and back into oven. i salted sliced eggplant to get rid of bitterness, seared in in a minimal amount of oil, and chunked it up and added to stew at about 5 hour mark. added to pot a water/flour mixture, brought to boil and back in the oven. ate this with steamed brown rice. this is the best beef stew of any kind i have ever had in my life!!! i definitely will grill it next time! thanks for the recipe. it is a definite keeper!