Menestra Spanish Style Veggie Stew Vegan Too!

Name: Menestra (Spanish Style Veggie Stew) (Vegan Too..!)
Ingredients: 2 onions, halved and then thinly sliced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 2 carrots, peeled, cut into half circles; 1 large potato, diced (peel or not, your choice); 1 tablespoon sweet paprika; 2 bay leaves; 1 pinch cayenne; 2 cups hot water; 1⁄2 cup dry sherry; 1⁄2 teaspoon salt; 1⁄2 lb mushroom (halved or quartered); 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces; 5 artichoke hearts (roughly a 14 oz can, cut into halves...save the liquid); 1 cup green peas (fresh or frozen); sea salt; fresh ground black pepper; black olives, sliced (optional as garnish); fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional as garnish)