Sunday, November 10, 2013

Recipe: Sweet and Sour Beef Stew


With the weather cooling off, I was in the mood for a beef stew.  While Viet Nam has its own version of beef stew, called Bo Kho, I was in the mood for a Western stew.  A while back I made Chef Ellie Krieger's Sweet and Sour Brisket, and it was delish.  I also remember the braising liquid being just as yummy.  Anyone who knows me knows Chef Ellie Krieger is my go to chef for recipes - hers are healthy without sacrificing flavor.  I adapted her recipe for sweet and sour brisket to make my stew, and it was surprisingly met with enthusiasm by hubby.  So without further ado, here you go!

Special Equipment: Dutch Oven

Ingredients
2 lb beef flank, cut into 4 equal parts
1 medium onion, cut in half, then sliced into half moons
5 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp fish sauce
1 - 6 oz can of tomato paste
3 cups of shrimp stock
3 tbsp firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1/3 cup raisins
5 black peppercorns
2 allspice berries
1 lb of potatoes, peeled and quartered


Directions
1. Salt the beef flank.  In a Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp of vegetable oil and sear the flank until brown.  Transfer the flank to a plate to let rest.

2. Add another tablespoon of vegetable oil and sweat the onions.  Add the garlic and cook for a minute.  Add 1 tbsp of fish sauce.  Stir.

3. Add the 6 oz can of tomato paste, shrimp stock, brown sugar, vinegar, raisins, peppercorns, the remaining 2 tbsp of fish sauce, and allspice berries.  Stir to combine and allow the stew to heat up to boil.

4.  While stew comes to a boil, slice up the beef flank into one inch cubes.  Add to the stew along with any juices that have accumulated.

5. Add the potatoes.

6. Once the stew comes to a boil, reduce to simmer.  Cover the pot and let cook for an hour and a half.

Bon appetit! 

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