Carne Guisada (a flavorful, slow-cooked beef stew) with flour tortillas is a comforting and delicious meal! Here’s a recipe for both the Carne Guisada and homemade flour tortillas.
Carne Guisada Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs beef stew meat (chuck roast or sirloin works well)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium tomatoes, diced (or 1 can of diced tomatoes)
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 cup beef broth or water (adjust as needed)
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1-2 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon vinegar (optional, for tang)
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
- Brown the Beef:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Season the beef stew meat with salt and pepper, then brown it in batches (don’t overcrowd the pot). Once browned, remove the beef and set it aside.
- Sauté the Veggies:
- In the same pot, add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, until softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasoning:
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and bay leaves. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes to combine the flavors.
- Simmer the Stew:
- Return the beef to the pot. Add the beef broth (or water) just enough to cover the meat. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a simmer, then cover and lower the heat. Let it cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened. Check occasionally and add more liquid if needed.
- Finishing Touches:
- Once the beef is tender, check for seasoning and adjust salt, pepper, and spices. If you like a little tang, you can add vinegar at this stage.
- Optionally, stir in fresh cilantro before serving.
- Serve: Serve the carne guisada with warm flour tortillas on the side, or use them to scoop up the stew!
Homemade Flour Tortillas Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or lard for more flavor)
- 3/4 cup warm water (adjust as needed)
Instructions:
- Mix the Dough:
- In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the vegetable oil and mix with your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the warm water, stirring until a dough forms. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour; if it’s too dry, add a bit more water.
- Rest the Dough:
- Cover the dough with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. This helps to make the tortillas more pliable.
- Roll the Tortillas:
- Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each into a ball.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough ball into a thin circle (about 8-10 inches in diameter).
- Cook the Tortillas:
- Heat a cast-iron skillet or non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
- Place one tortilla at a time into the hot skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until you see bubbles forming on the surface. Flip it over and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until lightly browned.
- Remove the tortilla from the pan and cover with a towel to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining dough balls.
- Serve: Stack the tortillas and keep them covered until you’re ready to serve them with your carne guisada!
To Serve:
- Warm the tortillas and scoop the carne guisada into them.
- Optionally, garnish with cilantro, onion, and a squeeze of lime.
- Enjoy your delicious homemade meal!
Let me know if you want any adjustments or have more questions!