CiberCuba Cocina
Beef Stew | Photo © CiberCuba Cocina

Beef Stew

Kitchen, Main dish

Preparation Time:
45
Note:
Beef with Potatoes is the Cuban version of Beef Stew, a dish that is eaten almost everywhere in the world. Generally, Cubans consume low-quality beef and we must subject it to a strong cooking process to tenderize it. In this case, pressure was not used because the meat was very tender, but if you think it's appropriate, you can cook this stew in a pressure cooker. The ingredients are very basic, but they provide a spectacular and very Cuban flavor. I hope you enjoy it.
Ingredients:
  • 500 grams of beef, cut into cubes or medium pieces.
  • 1 red onion
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • 2 potatoes
  • 2 small carrots
  • ½ yellow bell pepper (or whichever one you have)
  • 2 tomatoes
  • ½ cup of tomato sauce
  • ½ cup of broth or water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 bunch of chives or leeks
  • 50 ml of oil
  • Salt, pepper, cumin, and oregano to taste.
Instructions:

Season the beef with salt and pepper. Add cumin and oregano to taste and let it rest for a few minutes while you prepare the other ingredients for the recipe.

Ingredients for the Stew / CiberCuba Kitchen

Wash the potatoes and carrots. Peel them and cut them into cubes or rounds of similar size. Slice the onion into julienne, crush the garlic, and dice the bell pepper into brunoise.

Put a pot over medium heat. Add the oil, and when it's hot, add the garlic to brown and scent the fat.

Ingredients for the stew sautéing in oil / CiberCuba Cocina

Once the garlic starts to brown, add the beef. Stir frequently to ensure it heats evenly. When it begins to change color, add the chopped onion, tomato, and bell pepper. Stir and let it cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Then incorporate the potatoes, carrots, and bay leaf. Finally, cover everything with broth or water and with the tomato sauce. Mix well and cover it.

Stew before covering to cook on medium heat / CiberCuba Cocina

You can add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomato, although it is not mandatory.

Let it cook covered for about 20 minutes. Check that the meat does not dry out too much; if it does, you can add more broth.

When the potatoes are tender, you can remove the stew from the heat. Let it rest covered and avoid stirring it so that the potatoes and carrots do not break apart too much. Remove the bay leaf, as it is not pleasant to find it in your mouth.

Beef Stew with Potatoes / CiberCuba Cocina

Garnish it with finely chopped chives or with leeks or wild garlic.

Enjoy your meal!!

Rations:
4