Carne guisada con plantanos (beef & plantai

6 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
½cupPure Spanish olive oil
poundsBoneless chuck, cut into 2-inch chunks
1largeOnion, thickly sliced
1largeGreen bell pepper, seeded and diced
4eachesCloves garlic, finely chopped
2cupsDrained and chopped canned whole tomatoes or
4eachesTo 6 medium-size, ripe tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1cupDry sherry
1cupCuban Beef Stock (see CUBA03.TXT)
1tablespoonSalt
1tablespoonSpanish paprika (available at gourmet shops)
½teaspoonFreshly ground black pepper
¼teaspoonCumin seeds, crushed in a mortar
pinchOf dried oregano
1eachBay leaf
3mediumsPlantains of medium ripeness (yellow with
Black spots)
2tablespoonsFinely chopped fresh parsley
1eachIn a large, heavy-bottomed casserole, heat the oil over medium

Directions

heat until fragrant, then brown the beef on all sides. Reduce the heat to low, add the onions, bell pepper, and garlic, and cook, stirring, until the onions are lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, except for the plantains and parsley, cover, and simmer 1½ hours, stirring frequently. Add more stock if necessary. 2. Cut the tips off the plantains, peel, and slice 1 inch thick. Add them to the casserole and cook over low heat, until the plantains are tender, another 20 to 30 minutes. Transfer the stew to a serving bowl, sprinkle with parsley, and serve hot. Makes 6 to 8 servings Mary Urrutia Randelman "Memories of a Cuban Kitchen" (Macmillan, 1992) CARNE GUISADA CON PLATANOS Beef And Plantain Stew