Trini Lopez's Viva Beef

Trini Lopez's Viva Beef

1/2 cup onion flakes
1 1/3 cups water, divided
3 tbsps. vegetable oil, divided
2 lbs. lean stew beef, cut in 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup grape juice (or cola or sangria)
1 bay loaf
1-inch stick cinnamon
3 whole cloves
1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
1/4 tsp. ground cumin seed
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. instant minced garlic
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper

Rehydrate onion flakes in 1/3 cup of the water for 10 minutes. In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsps. of the oil. Add onion and saute 5 minutes. Remove onion and set aside. To the same skillet add remaining 1 tbsp. oil. Add beef, brown well on all sides. Return onion to skillet. Add remaining 1 cup of water, grape juice (or cola or sangria) and remaining ingredients. Cover and cook 1 1/2 hrs (or until meat is tender), stirring occasionally. Add additional red pepper as desired. Serve with rice or refried beans.