I’m sure there are meals that make you remember a specific time of your life. Well, this beef stew (Carne Guisada) tastes to me like all the weekends at my abuela’s (grandma’s).
She used to serve this rich stew over a big bowl of fluffy white rice. It was definitely the best part of my weekend along with her quesillo.
If you know me you probably know that I’m not a fan of white rice. For a Latin American girl, this is almost taboo. I don’t know why, but it seems so plain and meh!
But the tomato sauce of this stew turns any dull white rice into a sponge full of flavor.
The recipe has its origins in Spain. But as a formerly Spain colony, in Venezuela we adapted the classical Spanish recipes and we made our own versions. There are many generations involved in this single recipe.
If you are into beefy and thick stews, I can assure you that you’ve found your true love with this recipe. This stew includes soft potatoes along with sweet carrots simmered in a thick tomato and broth sauce.
This meal is so heartwarming that you will ask for a second plate for sure!
Grandma’s beef stew with potatoes and carrots (Latin American style)
Ingredients
- 500 gr beef chuck cut into cubes. ( the pieces must be small enough to be eaten in one bite but not too tiny that the beef breaks up into the stew)
- 3 medium potatoes peeled and cut into cubes.
- 2 medium carrots peeled and cut into cubes.
- 1 onion cut into cubes.
- ½ pepper cut into cubes.
- Fresh coriander chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- 1 cup of meat broth it can be chicken broth too
- 1 cup of water
- ½ cup of tomato sauce
Instructions
- In a big pan in high heat pour the olive oil and sear the beef, previously seasoned with a pinch of salt, black pepper and garlic powder. Transfer the meat to a big stock pot and let it rest. (note 1)
- In the same pan but in medium heat add the onion and the pepper and let it soften for 3-5 minutes. Transfer it to the stock pot along with the meat.
- Add the meat broth, the water, the tomato sauce, the potatoes and the carrots. Cook in medium heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.
- When the sauce is thick enough and the potatoes are soft turn off the heat and add the coriander. (note 2)
- Serve in a bowl over fluffy white rice.
Notes
- The outside of the beef must be brown and well seared. Do not worry if the inside is still raw because the meat will cook completely inside the sauce.
- If you add the coriander before it will lose its freshness and the flavor will change.
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I’m Maria and I love cooking—and mostly EATING—food from all around the world. I’ve been sharing my abuela’s secret Latin-American recipes for the last 7 years with the world on this blog. I’ve been a full-time food blogger for many years and I’m always trying new delicious meals that don’t require a culinary degree or a Michelin-star chef. I also love traveling, cats, and knitting.