Beef and Pepper Stew

Being a hardcore carnivore (I grew up in Uruguay, what do you expect?!?!?), and busy while looking for interesting recipes I came across this one, which I promptly adapted from Mmmm… Casseroles, published by Parragon Books Ltd. in 2010:

Photo from Mmmm… Casseroles, page 31

Serves 4
Ingredients

• 1 pound beef
• 1 1/2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 green chilli pepper, seeded and chopped
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 tablespoon ground allspice
• 2 tablespoons  hot pepper sauce
• 2 1/2 cups beef stock (*)
• 8 ounces squash, seeded, peeled and cut into small chunks
• 1 large red pepper, seeded and chopped
• 4 tomatoes coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup okra, trimmed and halved

Directions

1. Trim any fat from the beef and cut into 1 inch chunks. Toss the beef in the flour until well coated and reserve any remaining flour.
2. Heat the oil in a large-bottom pan and cook the onion, garlic, chilli pepper, celery, cloves and allspice, stirring for 5 minutes until softened. Add the beef and cook over high heat, stirring frequently for 3 minutes or until browned on all sides. Sprinkle in the reserve flour and cook, stirring constantly for an additional 2 minutes before removing from the fire.
3. Add the hot pepper sauce and gradually stir in the stock, then return to the fire and bring to a boil while stirring. Reduce the heat, cover and let simmer, stirring occasionally for 1 1/2 hours.
4. Add the squash and bell pepper to the pan and simmer for an additional 15 minutes. Add the tomatoes and okra, simmer for an additional 15 minutes, or until the beef is tender. Serve immediately; cooked rice makes a perfect side for this dish.

Enjoy, gentle reader, enjoy!

CS

Beef Patties in Red Wine

I always liked to cook with wine or liqueur, therefore I constantly experiment. When I come up with a dish where the wine actually helps the taste and transforms it into something better, the new variation becomes a favorite.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 6 tbsp margarine
• 2 red onions, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1 lb 7 oz ground beef
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, plus extra to garnish
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup all’purpose flour
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• salt and pepper

Directions

1. Melt 2 tbsp of the margarine in a skillet. Add the onions, add the garlic, and cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes until softened.
2. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, add the ground beef, oregano, parsley and egg. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix well with your hands until fully combined.
3. Shape the mixture into 4 patties, about 1/4″ thick each. Dust with flour, and gently shake off the excess.
4. Melt another 2 tbsp margarine with the oil in the skillet. Add the patties and cook for 4 minutes on each side. Remove the patties to a serving dish, using a spatula. Keep them warm.
5. Pour off the fat from the skillet, then add the wine and bring to a boil over medium to high heat. Boil until reduced to about half. Dice the last 2 tsbsp margarine. Remove the skillet from the heat and whisk in the margarine, 1 piece at a time. Wait for each piece to be fully incorporated before adding the next. Pour the sauce over the patties, garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Enjoy, gentle reader, enjoy!

CS

 

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