How to make Seco de Carne-Peruvian Beef Stew

beef

🥗Healthier: chicken

💰Cheaper: pork

Chicken is leaner and more affordable.

beer

🥗Healthier: non-alcoholic beer

💰Cheaper: chicken broth

Non-alcoholic beer maintains flavor without alcohol.

aji amarillo

🥗Healthier: bell pepper

💰Cheaper: jalapeño

Bell pepper provides sweetness and color.

cilantro

🥗Healthier: parsley

💰Cheaper: spinach

Parsley offers a similar fresh flavor.

Wash 3 bunches of cilantro thoroughly to remove dirt and sand.

Pull off the large parts of the cilantro stalks and place the leaves in a blender.

Add enough water to the blender to keep the mixture thick and blend until smooth.

Add 2 handfuls of spinach to the blender with the cilantro and blend until combined.

Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat and add chopped pot roast and short ribs in large chunks.

Brown the meat on all sides, about 8-10 minutes, to flavor the pot.

Add a little extra olive oil to the pan, then add chopped red onion, garlic, and aji amarillo paste.

Sauté the onion and garlic mixture for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent.

Add the cilantro mixture to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes until it thickens and darkens in color.

Pour in about 7 cups of water into the pan and mix well.

Return the browned meat to the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Add a small amount of salt and pepper for flavor, then cover and reduce heat to low.

Let the mixture simmer for about 2.5 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

Skim off the fat that rises to the top of the stew after simmering for 2 hours.

Add diced carrots and potatoes to the pot and increase the heat slightly to return to a simmer.

Cook the carrots and potatoes for about 25-30 minutes until tender and the stew thickens.

Prepare canary beans by sautéing chopped red onion and garlic until soft, about 1 minute.

Add a small amount of tomato sauce to the onion and garlic mixture for liquid.

Blend the onion, garlic, and tomato sauce mixture until smooth and creamy, then return it to the pan with the stew.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: