Sesame Root Beer Braised Short Ribs and Sweet Potatoes

I got this recipe From an ad for McCormick spices in a Martha Stewart Living magazine. The colors and the flavors are wonderful!

• Ready In: 3 hrs 35 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 3  lbs boneless beef short ribs, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1⁄4 cup flour
• 2  tablespoons  oil
• 6  garlic cloves, peeled
• 2  celery ribs, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
• 2  onions, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
• 2  parsnips, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 (12 ounce) bottle  root beer
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 2  beef bouillon cubes
• 2  tablespoons tomato paste
• 2  tablespoons  balsamic vinegar
• 2  bay leaves
• 3  teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
• 1  teaspoon sea salt
• 1  teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
• 2  lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces

Directions

1. Coat short ribs with flour.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in 5 quart Dutch oven and brown beef pieces over medium-high heat.
3. Remove from Dutch oven and set aside.
4. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in Dutch oven on medium heat. Add garlic, celery, onions, and parsnips and stir 3 minutes or until lightly browned.
5. Add root beer, water, bouillon cubes, tomato paste, vinegar, bay leaves, 2 teaspoons of sesame seeds, sea salt, and black pepper and bring to boil.
6. Return beef to pot and stir and cover.
7. Braise in 300F oven for 2 hours.
8. Add sweet potatoes and cook for and additional hour.
9. Top with remaining 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds and serve.