Mexican Beef Stew in Red Chile-Garlic Sauce


Core Recipe
Servings | 6
Preparation Time | 22 min
Cooking Time | 65 min
Level of Difficulty | Moderate

main meals | This chile-garlic sauce is so good that you'll want to scoop it up with the stew’s potatoes.


4 dried ancho pepper(s), stems removed and seeds shaken out
2 cup water
8 large garlic clove(s), not peeled
1 Tbsp canned chipotle peppers, chopped
2 tsp olive oil
1 large onion(s), chopped
2 Tbsp canned tomato paste
1 1/2 pound lean beef round, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
2 large carrot(s), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
12 small uncooked red potato(es), new, scrubbed, not peeled, halved
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp table salt

Instructions


1. Cut open ancho chilies with kitchen scissors so they lay flat. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and toast chilies, pressing them flat with a spatula, for 30 seconds per side. Place chilies in a large bowl with water; set aside.
2. Add garlic to same skillet and roast in its skin, letting skin blacken, turning as needed, about 4 to 5 minutes. When garlic is cool enough to handle, remove skin.
3. Remove chilies from water and reserve liquid.
4. Place soaked chilies, chipotle, peeled garlic and 3/4 cup of reserved water in a blender container. Blend on high, pulsing on and off, to make a smooth sauce. Add more water as necessary to make a loose sauce; set aside until ready to use.
5. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until onions begin to brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more. Pour chile-garlic sauce over onions and stir to combine.
6. Add beef, carrots and potatoes to pot; stir. Cover and cook for 30 minutes; remove cover and stir. (If stew seems dry, add 1/4 cup more water.) Season with cumin, cinnamon and salt; stir, reduce heat to low, place cover back on pot and cook until potatoes and carrots are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes more. Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.