Lightly salt and pepper beef cubes and coat with flour. In hot skillet, saute' with butter floured beef cubes until lightly browned. In a heavy pot saute' onions until clear. Add meat, can of whole tomatoes, 3 cups water*, bouillon, garlic, and parsley, thyme, salt and pepper. Add 1 cup of red wine if available. Cover, simmer 1 1/2 hours. Then add carrots, celery, potatoes and small onions. Cook until tender, about 1 hour. *Quantity for standard serving size.