Chipotle Beef Stew
Description:
I stumbled upon this delightful Chipotle Beef Stew recipe on Epicurious, and let me tell you, it’s a real gem! The allure of this stew lies in the subtle smokiness imparted by the chipotles, reminiscent of flavors from a cozy campfire. And for those who relish a kick of spice, this dish is an absolute winner!
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lbs beef
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 onion
- 2-3 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 2-3 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
- 1 tbsp adobo sauce (from the chipotle chiles can)
- 1 cup water or beef stock
- 1-2 cups canned hominy
- 1/2 cup flour tortillas, warmed (for serving)
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 634.4
- Fat: 41.5g
- Saturated Fat: 14.6g
- Cholesterol: 117.4mg
- Sodium: 460.6mg
- Carbohydrates: 29.4g
- Fiber: 5.3g
- Sugar: 8.8g
- Protein: 35.6g
Cooking Time:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Instructions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Season the beef generously with salt and pepper, ensuring each piece is coated evenly. |
| 2 | Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef on all sides, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. This step is crucial for developing rich flavors and a beautiful sear on the meat. |
| 3 | Once the beef is nicely browned, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and ground cumin to the skillet. Sauté the aromatics until the onion turns tender and translucent, infusing the meat with aromatic flavors. This usually takes about 5 minutes. |
| 4 | Stir in the tomato puree, chipotle chiles, adobo sauce, and water or beef stock, ensuring all ingredients are well combined. These ingredients form the heart and soul of the stew, imparting depth, richness, and that characteristic smokiness. |
| 5 | Reduce the heat to low and let the stew simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for approximately 1 1/2 hours. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together beautifully while tenderizing the beef to melt-in-your-mouth perfection. If you find the stew drying out during cooking, simply add a splash of beef stock or water to maintain the desired consistency. |
| 6 | After the beef has simmered to tender perfection, add the canned hominy to the skillet and continue cooking for an additional 15 minutes. The hominy adds a delightful textural contrast and subtle sweetness to the stew, making each bite a symphony of flavors and textures. |
| 7 | Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed. |
| 8 | Serve the Chipotle Beef Stew hot in bowls, accompanied by warmed flour tortillas for a truly satisfying meal. The tortillas are perfect for scooping up every last bit of the flavorful stew, ensuring no delicious morsel goes to waste. |
Recipe Notes:
- For an extra kick of heat, you can add more chipotle chiles or a pinch of cayenne pepper to suit your taste preferences.
- This stew can be made ahead of time and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave for a quick and convenient meal option.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer-term storage. Simply reheat gently before serving.
With its robust flavors, comforting warmth, and just the right amount of spice, this Chipotle Beef Stew is sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire. Whether enjoyed on a chilly evening indoors or shared with friends and family at a gathering, this hearty stew is bound to impress. So fire up your skillet and get ready to savor the irresistible flavors of this Southwestern-inspired masterpiece! 🌶️🥩🍲
