Irish Stew

Ingredients

4 (2 tablespoons) Land O Lakes® Butter Balls, divided

1 pound beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes

1 ¹/₂ teaspoons salt, divided

¹/₂ teaspoon pepper, divided

1 pound (3 cups) potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes

1 large (1 ¹/₂ cups) onion, coarsely chopped

2 medium (1 cup) carrots, peeled, sliced 1 inch

1 medium leek, cut in half lenghwise, cut into 1/4-inch slices

3 cloves fresh garlic, finely chopped

1 cup dark stout beer or apple juice

1 cup tomato juice

1 (14.5-ounce) can beef broth

1 bay leaf

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves