New Mexican Spicy Beef Stew


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This recipe was given to me by my friend and co-author of my first cookbook, Andra Cook of Raleigh, North Carolina. As you can see, this stew is not for the faint of heart!

Check out more of Linda's great Soup, Stew, and Chili Recipes.


New Mexican Spicy Beef Stew

1 cup dried pinto beans, sorted, rinsed, and drained
1 (3-pound) boneless chuck roast, well trimmed and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
Salt and coarsely ground pepper to taste
Santa Fe Seasoning (see recipe below)
3 tablespoons all-purpose
flour  
6 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
2 large onions, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
8 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeno chile pepper, minced with seeds
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 1/2 cups red wine
2 cups beef stock
2 cups chicken stock
1 (28-ounce) can Italian plum tomatoes, undrained
1 smoked ham hock
1/2 teaspoon red (cayenne) pepper
11 ounces smoked kielbasa sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 red and/or yellow bell peppers, cored, seeded, and cut into 1 1/2-inch triangles
2 poblano
chile peppers, cored, seeded, and cut into 1 1/2-inch triangles*
3 zucchini squash, cut into 1-inch thick rounds
Minced fresh cilantro

* A fresh green chile, sometimes called a fresh pasilla.

In a large soup pot or cast-iron Dutch Oven over medium-high heat, place beans and over with water. Bring just to a boil; remove from heat, cover, and let stand 1 hour. Drain and rinse beans; set aside. Place beef pieces in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper. Add 2 teaspoons Santa F Seasoning; toss well. Add flour and toss to coat.

In a large pot or a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, heat 4 tablespoons vegetable oil. Add beef piecs in batches and brown well; using a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; reduce heat to medium. Add onions and tomato paste; stir 2 minute. Add red wine and bring to a boil, scraping up browned bits. Add beef and chicken stocks, tomatoes, ham hock, and cayenne pepper; reduce heat to low and bring to simmer. Add beef pieces; cover partially and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add beans, cover partially, and simmer another 1 hour. Uncover, add remaining Santa Fe Seasoning, and simmer an additional 45 minutes or until beef pieces and beans are tender. Stirring occasionally. Degrease stew if necessary. Remove ham hock; trim off fat. Cut ham into 1/2-inch pieces and add back into stew.

In a large frying pan over medium heat, add kielbasa sausage and cook 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Add bell peppers, poblano chilies, and zucchini; saute another 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Mix sausage and vegetables into stew; simmer 5 minutes longer or until just tender. Sprinkle with cilantro. Ladle into soup bowls and serve with bread.

Makes 6 servings.

SANTA FE SEASONING:
1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano, crushed
2 teaspoons dried thyme, crushed
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a small bowl, combine cumin, coriander, chili powder, oregano, thyme, allspice, cloves, and cinnamon.