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Aunt Didi’s Carne Guisada

This classic Tex-Mex stew (see photograph page 10) is rich and delicious without the hours of simmering that most stews require. I cannot imagine ever eating this without Aunt Edna’s Homemade Flour Tortillas (page 171) to soak up every last drop of flavorful sauce.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 4 servings

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 pounds beef sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 medium white onion, sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 green bell pepper, sliced
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
Mexican Rice (page 124), for serving
Refried Beans (page 130), for serving
Aunt Edna’s Homemade Flour Tortillas (page 171), warm for serving

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the meat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned in spots but still a little red in the middle, about 5 minutes.

    Step 2

    Add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper and stir to combine. Add the cumin, salt, and pepper and stir to combine. Stir in the tomato sauce and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve with Mexican rice, refried beans, and warm tortillas.

  2. From Aunt Elsa’s Kitchen

    Step 3

    For a thicker gravy, after cooking use a slotted spoon to transfer the meat and vegetables to a serving bowl. Combine 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour with 1/4 cup water and stir until smooth. Whisk this slurry into the gravy and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until thickened. Pour the gravy over the meat and serve.

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