Estofado de Res (beef stew)

During the past couple months, it has been the coldest I can ever remember while living in Atlanta. The days of staying indoors in my pajamas all day were many. Going to the grocery store is about the only thing that took me outside. Nothing says cold winter days like a hot and spicy stew. We have tried several new ones lately (posts coming soon).

There is no shortage of delicious recipes in our favorite cookbook, Mexico: the Beautiful Cookbook. This hearty stew calls for green beans which is an ingredient I have never used in a Mexican dish. Its easy to make, delicious and comforting.

Estofado de Res (a dish from Oaxaca, in the coastal area near Guerrero)

A recipe from Mexico: the Beautiful Cookbook

Ingredients:

2lb boneless beef shank (shin)

12cups cold water

1/2 onion

4 cloves garlic

1 tbsp salt

4 dried chiles guajillos, seed and membranes removed

2 large tomatoes, roasted and peeled

1/4 small onion

1 tbsp oil

2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed

2 small zucchini, cubed

8oz fresh green beans, trimmed

*Place the beef shank in a large pot or Dutch oven, cover with water and add 1/2 onion, 3 garlic cloves and the salt. Bring to a boil, cover and cook over medium heat for about 1 1/2 hours or until the meat is tender. Discard the onion and set aside.

*On an iron skillet, toast the chiles, then soak in hot water to cover for 20 minutes. Drain and transfer to a blender. Add the tomatoes, 1 garlic clove and 1/4 onion and puree.

*Heat the oil in a large skillet, add the tomato and puree and boil for 5 minutes. Add 2 cups of the beef stock, bring to a boil and add the meat, potatoes and zucchini. Cook for 3 minutes, adding more broth if the stew seems too thick. Cook, covered, over medium heat for 10 minutes. Correct the seasonings, add the beans, stir and cook, covered, over low heat for 10 more minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

Beef Brisket....Mexican Style!!

I am a daily food shopper. This means that I never fill up a grocery cart, I usually decide what I am going to make for dinner and then I go buy the ingredients. This is why it is important that I go to a store where I enjoy the shopping experience. (A big thanks to Kroger Edgewood for expanding) "With that being said" (did you just see the Curb your Enthusiasm about that phrase? love it!) "With that being said, I do sometimes buy a hunk of meat on sale at the grocery store, and put it in the freezer for future use. I find that it aids in picking a recipe, kid of a challenge, hmmm what delicious dinner can i make with this one meat. Beef Brisket.

This was adapted from a Food Network recipe.

Mexican Beef Brisket

• 3 1/2 pounds beef brisket
• 1 tablespoon coarse salt
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
• Flour for dredging
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch lengths
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 10 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 5 chipotle pepers in adobo sauce (less if you can't stand the heat)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 2 quarts chicken stock or water
• 5 bay leaves
• Salt to taste
• 4 scallions, white and light green parts, thinly sliced on the diagonal, for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Start with a good piece of meat, trimmed of most of the fat.

Sprinkle the brisket with the coarse salt and pepper. Dredge in flour to coat and shake off any excess. In a large Dutch oven heat oil over high heat. Sear the meat until browned on all sides. Set aside.

Reduce heat to moderate and add the carrots and onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and saute 2 minutes longer. Return the meat to the pan along with all remaining ingredients except the salt and garnishes.

Bring to a boil, cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Bake for 2 1/2 hours, or until the meat slips off a fork when pierced.

Lift out the brisket and place on a cutting board. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Pour the broth and vegetables into a blender. Puree until smooth, add salt to taste. Shred the brisket and warm up some tortillas. Place brisket in tortilla, top with freshly chopped onion, cilantro and the sauce. Serve with scallions and refried beans. To. die. for. Let me know if you agree!