Pascale’s Kitchen: Beef stew with potatoes and cinnamon
By PASCALE PEREZ-RUBIN, Jerusalem Post, FEBRUARY 24, 2022
When it’s cold outside, there’s nothing better than coming home to a warm pot of stew whose aroma has spread throughout the house.
I love preparing stews for a number of reasons. Firstly, they are easy to make and don’t require many steps or complicated techniques. Secondly, to make a stew, you just add all the ingredients to one big pot, combining your protein together with grains, legumes and vegetables. And lastly, I love that you can swap out meat for chicken, use any type of grain or beans, and add whichever vegetables you happen to have on hand.
The main rule of thumb to follow when making a stew is that it needs to be cooked over a low flame for a few hours. This is the only way you’ll get the deep flavor and soft texture of a good stew. In general, stews should cook for at least an hour and a half. If you have the time, two-and-a-half hours is even better.
BEEF STEW WITH POTATOES & CINNAMON
Makes 6-8 servings.
- 4 Tbsp. canola oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 600 gr. beef shoulder, cut into medium-sized cubes
- 2 carrots or pumpkin, cut into small pieces
- 1 large tomato, cut into pieces
- 5-6 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 5 garlic cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 Tbsp. sweet paprika
- ½ tsp. spicy paprika
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1 Tbsp. chicken soup powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup dry chickpeas, soaked in water overnight and then drained
- 6 medium (or 8 small) potatoes, cut into pieces
- Parsley, for decoration
Heat the oil in a large pan and sauté onion until it turns translucent. Add the meat and sauté, stirring continuously until it turns gray.
Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, cinnamon, spices and water. Mix well, cover and cook for another 25 minutes.
Add the chickpeas and cook for another 30 minutes. Add the potatoes and carrots or pumpkin, and cook over a low flame for 30 minutes until the meat and vegetables have softened and the sauce has thickened.
Taste and adjust seasoning.
Decorate with parsley and serve hot.
Level of difficulty: Medium. Time: 90 minutes. Status: Meat.
Enjoy! |
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