Carne Guisada is a flavorful, hearty dish that’s perfect for a cozy meal. It’s a rich, beef stew with a savory blend of spices and vegetables, simmered to tender perfection. Served with warm, homemade flour tortillas, it’s a comforting combination that’s hard to beat.
Ingredients:
For Carne Guisada:
- 2 lbs beef stew meat (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 1 bell pepper (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tomatoes (diced)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for thickening, optional)
For Flour Tortillas:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup vegetable shortening or lard
- 1 cup warm water
Instructions:
- Prepare the Carne Guisada:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and brown on all sides. Remove the beef and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes begin to break down.
- Return the beef to the pot and add the beef broth, cumin, paprika, oregano, black pepper, salt, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender. If desired, mix 2 tablespoons of flour with a small amount of water to create a slurry and stir it into the pot to thicken the sauce. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
- Adjust seasoning to taste and remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Prepare the Flour Tortillas:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the vegetable shortening or lard until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the warm water, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 1-2 minutes, until smooth.
- Divide the dough into 8-10 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Let them rest for 10 minutes.
- Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Roll out each ball of dough into a thin circle. Cook each tortilla in the hot skillet for about 1 minute on each side, or until light brown spots appear.
- Keep the cooked tortillas warm by wrapping them in a clean cloth.
Serve the Carne Guisada hot with the warm flour tortillas on the side. Enjoy a comforting meal that combines tender beef in a flavorful gravy with soft, homemade tortillas.
