Italian Beef Stew with Zucchini, Mushrooms, and Basil

Name: Italian Beef Stew with Zucchini, Mushrooms, and Basil
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: European, Italian, Mediterranean
Ingredients: 2 lbs. chuck roast (after trimming) cut into cubes slightly larger than one inch; 5 tsp. olive oil; salt and fresh ground black pepper to season meat; 2 14 oz.can beef broth (see notes); 2 14.5 oz. cans petite diced tomatoes with juice; 1 T Italian Herb Blend; 1 tsp. ground fennel seed (probably optional, but recommended); 1 medium onion, chopped into 1/2 inch dice; 1 large green pepper chopped into 1/2 inch dice; 2 small zucchini, ends trimmed and then cut into half lengthwise and sliced into thick slices; 1/2 lb. (or more) mushrooms, washed and cut in thick slices or half slices (see notes); 4 T chopped fresh basil (see notes); good quality balsamic vinegar to drizzle on at the table, optional