Carne Guisada con Papas (Beef Stew with Potatoes) is a delicious and hearty dish commonly enjoyed in Latin American and Caribbean cuisines, particularly in Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. It features tender beef simmered in a rich, flavorful sauce with potatoes.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs beef stew meat (chuck or brisket, cut into cubes)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tomatoes, chopped (or 1 can of diced tomatoes)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional for color)
- 1-2 bay leaves
- 4-5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 cups beef broth (or water)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon vinegar (optional, for added tang)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions:
- Prepare the beef:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Season the beef cubes with salt, pepper, and cumin.
- Brown the beef in batches, searing each side for about 3-4 minutes. Remove the beef and set aside.
- Cook the vegetables:
- In the same pot, add the onions, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Add the chopped tomatoes (or canned tomatoes), tomato paste, oregano, paprika, and bay leaves. Stir well and cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to soften.
- Simmer the stew:
- Return the browned beef to the pot and pour in the beef broth. Stir to combine and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the beef is tender.
- Add the potatoes:
- Add the cubed potatoes to the pot. Stir them in and add more broth or water if needed to cover the potatoes. Simmer for another 30-40 minutes, until the potatoes are cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
- Adjust seasoning:
- Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or vinegar (for extra tang) if desired.
- Serve:
- Once everything is tender and the flavors have melded, serve the Carne Guisada con Papas hot, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired. It pairs wonderfully with rice or crusty bread.
Tips:
- You can also add other vegetables like carrots or peas for variety.
- For a thicker sauce, you can mash a few potatoes directly in the stew.
