Best Ajiaco Beef And Pepper Stew Recipes

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AJIACO CUBANO



Ajiaco Cubano image

Ajiaco is a Cuban stew consisting of different indiginous root vegetables. It is incredibly tasty and nutritious. A native dish that symbolizes who Cubans are as a people and how diverse their ethnic backgrounds came to be formed. According to famed Cuban scholar Fernando Ortiz, the Amerindians gave us the maiz (corn), papa(potato), malanga (arum), boniato(sweet potato), yuca (cassava),and aji(pepper). The Spaniards added calabaza(pumpkin) and nabo (turnip), while the Chinese added spices. The Africans contributed name(yams). He says, that Cubans are " a mestizaje(mixture) of kitchens, a mestisaje of races, a mestisaje of cultures, a dense broth of civilization that bubbles on the stove of the Caribbean." The Cuban ajiaco retains the unique flavors of its diverse ingredients, which enrich one another. Some ingredients may dissolve completely, while others may remain more distinct. Yet all provide flavor to this hearty simmering stew, which by its very nature is always in a state of flux. The cuts of meat all have something in common aside from being "Cuban-style-cut" they are cheaper cuts, as this is the dish of the "common man." I have used many sources to come up with this recipe for you, from books published in 1925 to ones that I found on the internet. Also, used A Taste of Cuba recipe by Sonia Martinez, from El asere.com.,Ms Ramona V. Abella's "The Cuban Food Fairy", and Srta Maria Antonieta Reyes Gavilan y Moenk's "Delicias del la Mesa - Manual de Cocina y Reposteria". All you need with this dish is some good Cuban bread, a French baguette or even Foccaccia and some sliced fresh fruit, if you aren't too stuffed by this point! Cuban food is highly seasoned but never HOT! The ajiaco is/was made every Saturday(Before Castro)and was served as a noon meal which would have a longer lasting effect and in the evening they would have something light. This is very good and appetizing. Hope you will enjoy!

Provided by Manami

Categories     Pork

Time 5h10m

Yield 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 27

5 quarts water
1/2 lb beef jerky (tasajo, found in Latin grocery stores)
1 lb flank steak, cubed
1 lb pork spareribs, separated
1 1/2 lbs chicken pieces
2 ears corn, cut in fourths
1 lb yellow taro root, peeled, cut in chunks (malanga, found in Latin grocery stores)
1 lb yucca root, cut in chunks (cassave, fresh or frozen)
1 lb sweet potato, peeled & cut in chunks (boniato, not yam)
1 lb fresh pumpkin, peeled & cut in chunks (calabaza)
1/2 lb white taro root, peeled & cut in chunks (name, found in Latin grocery stores)
1/2 lb grey taro root, peeled, cut in chunks (guaqui)
2 ripe plantains, peeled and cut in chunks
2 fresh limes (for soaking the green plantains) or 2 fresh sour oranges (for soaking the green plantains)
salt, to taste
fresh coarse ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
5 scallions, sliced in 2-inch pieces
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 large green pepper, sliced in 1/2-inch strips
1 cup tomato puree (Glen Muir)
1 -2 teaspoon oregano
1/4-1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 -2 teaspoon salt, to taste
fresh ground black pepper, to taste
1 -2 whole bay leaf

Steps:

  • THE DAY BEFORE:.
  • Cut the beef jerky in large pieces and soak in water to cover.
  • Soak overnight.
  • SOUP:.
  • Now drain jerky and place in a very large and deep stockpot.
  • Add the 5 quarts of water and the cut up hen or chicken.
  • Boil for one hour.
  • Add the flank steak and pork pieces.
  • Add the spare ribs.
  • Boil for one more hour.
  • Remove fat and froth that will rise to top.
  • While meats are cooking, make the "sofrito", peel and cut the "viandas" (vegetables).
  • PREPARE SOFRITO:.
  • Add all ingredients, except for seasonings, to sauté pan and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Then add seasonings and simmer about 5 minutes longer.
  • Discard the bay leaves.
  • PREPARE THE VEGETABLES:.
  • When meats are tender, add the viandas, except ripe plantains and pumpkin.
  • Cook about one hour more.
  • Add the sofrito and cook another 20-30 minutes.
  • Add the ripe plantains and pumpkin and cook 30 more minutes or until pumpkin and plantains are tender.
  • Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary.
  • If broth is too thin, thicken by mashing some of the viandas in a little broth and adding it back to the pot.
  • Serve in a large soup tureen and give each guest a large, flat rimmed soup bowl.
  • You can place lime slices in little dishes along the table.
  • The ajiaco tastes really good with freshly squeezed lime juice, but let each guest decide if they would like to squirt their own.
  • This is so versatile, it can be served as a stew with rice and a salad of lettuce, tomatoe and cucumbers, or served with just the broth or served as is; meats and vegetables in a deep soup bowl.
  • Buen Provecho!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 767, Fat 31.8, SaturatedFat 10.9, Cholesterol 95.9, Sodium 891.2, Carbohydrate 88.5, Fiber 13.9, Sugar 14.2, Protein 39.1

AJIACO CRIOLLO--CUBAN CREOLE STEW



Ajiaco Criollo--Cuban Creole Stew image

Provided by Food Network

Time 11h20m

Number Of Ingredients 22

1/2 pound Tasajo (jerked beef), cut into 2-inch chunks
1 pound pork meat, cut into 2-inch chunks
1 pound beef brisket, cut into 2-inch chunks
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 large onions, peeled and chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup crushed tomatoes (canned are fine)
1/2 pound (1 medium) yellow malanga
1 pound (2 medium) white malanga
1 pound (2 medium) boniato
1/2 pound (1/2 medium) name
1 pound (2 medium) yucca
1 pound (1/2 medium) calabaza
2 ears of corn, husked
2 green plantains
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 semi-ripe (yellow) plantains
1 ripe (almost black) plantain

Steps:

  • Make the broth: Cover the tasajo with cold water and soak it for at least 8 hours. (There is no need to refrigerate it.) Change the water and continue soaking for another hour. Drain again and rinse under cold running water. Put the tasajo in a large, heavy pot and add about 6 quarts of water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, covered for 1 hour. Add the pork, beef brisket, and bay leaf, and let the three meats cook together until tender. Remove the pot from the heat and skim as much fat as possible from the broth. (If you have time, the best way is to refrigerate the broth overnight until the fat solidifies and then remove it.)
  • Make the Sofrito: Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat and saute the onions and green pepper until the onions are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 2 minutes more. Add the pepper, cumin, and tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes.
  • Add the sofrito to the broth and simmer, covered, while you prepare the vegetables.
  • Complete the Dish: Peel the malanga, boniato, name, yucca, and calabaza and cube them. Cut the corn and green plaintains into 1 1/2-inch pieces. With a knife, split the skin of each piece of green plantain and open it away from the center as if you were taking off a coat. Sprinkle the plantain pieces with the lime juice. Slit the semi-ripe and ripe plantains lengthwise and slice them crosswise into 1 1/2-inch rounds. Do not remove their skins or they will disintegrate in the stew. Add the green plantains to the simmering stew. After about 15 minutes, add the semiripe plantains. After another 15 minutes, add the ripe plantains and let them simmer for about 10 minutes.
  • Serve hot in soup plates or, cocido-style, with the meats, vegetables, and broth in separate dishes. (Each diner removes the skin from the semi-ripe plantains themselves).

AJIACO CRIOLLO -- CUBAN COUNTRY-STYLE STEW RECIPE



Ajiaco Criollo -- Cuban Country-Style Stew Recipe image

Provided by á-25630

Number Of Ingredients 28

3 tablespoons olive oil
6 slices smoked bacon
6 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin on
3/4 pound pork loin , cut into bite-size pieces
3/4 pound skirt or flank steak> , cut into bite-size pieces
3 cups beef stock
3 cups ham stock
1 1/2 cups red wine
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
3 tablespoons Spanish paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 bay leaf
1 cup malanga, cubed
1 cup boniato, cubed
1 cup yuca, cubed
1 cup calabaza, cubed
2 ears fresh sweet corn, husked
1 green plantain
1 semi-ripe plantain (starting to get black)
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup cornstarch mixed with 1/2 cup water
1/2 cup cream

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the bacon until most of the oil is released; remove bacon from pan. Lightly salt and pepper the chicken, pork, and beef. Dredge in flour; brown the meat (chicken first) in the hot, bacon-flavored oil. Remove the browned meats from the oil. Put all the meats (including the bacon) in a large, heavy 8-quart stockpot; add the beef and ham stocks and red wine. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 1 hour. Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion and green pepper until the onion is translucent. Add the garlic, paprika, salt, pepper, cumin, and tomatoes, and cook for about 5 minutes. At about the 45-minute point in the cooking, add this sautéed vegetable mixture and the bay leaf to the cooking meat and the broth in the stockpot. Let simmer for 15 minutes while you peel and cut the vegetables. Peel the malanga, boniato, yuca, and calabaza; cut into cubes and add to the broth. Cut the corn and plantains into 2-inch chunks. Add the corn and green plantains to the simmering stew. After about 20 minutes, add the semi-ripe plantains and the lime juice; continue cooking for an additional 20 to 30 minutes. The plantain and root vegetables need to be tender! Thicken the stew slightly by whisking in the cornstarch mixed with water. Just before serving, stir in the cream. Serve hot in large bowls with Pan Cubano-Cuban Bread.

Ajiaco Beef and Pepper Stew: A Hearty Colombian Dish

Ajiaco is a traditional soup/stew from Colombia that is made with a combination of potatoes, chicken or beef, corn, and a type of herb called guascas. Herbs like cilantro and parsley are added, along with other vegetables, to create a rich and flavorful broth that is perfect for cold, rainy days. The stew differs slightly from region to region in Colombia, and you can find a variety of variations throughout the country. However, one popular version is the Ajiaco Beef and Pepper Stew recipe. This article will discuss what Ajiaco Beef and Pepper Stew is, its history, its ingredients, and its nutritional value.
History of Ajiaco Beef and Pepper Stew
Ajiaco was created by indigenous Colombians and has been a staple dish of the country's cuisine for centuries. The dish's history can be traced back to pre-Hispanic times when the natives harvested potatoes and added them to the soup as a primary source of sustenance. Back then, the soup was made with meat from various wild animals like deer, armadillos, and rabbits. However, after the Spanish conquest, Ajiaco was adapted by the Spanish colonizers who introduced chicken, beef, and pork to the recipe. Today, Ajiaco is considered a national dish of Colombia, and it can be found in nearly every restaurant in the country.
Ingredients
The ingredients of the Ajiaco Beef and Pepper Stew vary slightly from the traditional recipe. Following are the ingredients required for the recipe:
  • 1 pound beef chuck roast, diced
  • 6 cups of water
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 large potatoes, diced
  • 1 large corn cob, cut into 4 pieces
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 plum tomatoes, diced
  • 1/4 cup of cilantro leaves
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp capers (optional)
  • Sour cream and avocado, for garnish
Nutritional Value of Ajiaco Beef and Pepper Stew
Ajiaco Beef and Pepper Stew is a high-protein dish that is rich in vitamins and minerals. The dish contains a balanced ratio of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, fats, and proteins that are essential for maintaining a healthy body. The soup is an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, iron, and potassium. One serving of Ajiaco Beef and Pepper Stew contains approximately 250 calories, 12 grams of fat, 27 grams of carbohydrates, and 18 grams of protein.
Conclusion
Ajiaco Beef and Pepper Stew is a hearty, flavorful, and nutritious Colombian dish that is perfect for serving on cold winter days. The recipe consists of diced beef, potatoes, corn, and bell peppers simmered together in a broth made from guascas and other herbs. Whether you are a meat lover or a vegetarian, you can modify Ajiaco Beef and Pepper Stew to suit your dietary needs. The soup is easy to prepare, and its unique flavor and aroma are sure to delight your taste buds. So, if you want to taste the essence of Colombian cuisine, Ajiaco Beef and Pepper Stew is a must-try dish.

Valuable Tips When Making Ajiaco Beef and Pepper Stew Recipes

Ajiaco beef and pepper stew is a delicious and hearty Latin American dish that is perfect for chilly weather. It features tender beef simmered in a flavorful broth with a variety of vegetables like potatoes, corn, onions, and peppers. However, making this dish can be challenging, especially if you are a novice in the kitchen. Here are some valuable tips to help you make the best ajiaco beef and pepper stew recipes.
Use high-quality beef
The heart of a good ajiaco is the beef. Therefore, you should make it your top priority to use high-quality beef for your recipe. Opt for cuts like sirloin or chuck that have the right amount of marbling, tenderness, and flavor. Additionally, try to avoid lean meats that tend to be tough and dry when simmered for a prolonged time. Apart from the cut of meat, the cooking technique you use can also affect the tenderness and flavor of the beef. For best results, consider slow-cooking methods like braising or stewing that help tenderize the meat while locking in flavor.
Go for fresh vegetables
Another important aspect of a good ajiaco recipe is the vegetables that go into it. In particular, choose fresh, high-quality vegetables like potatoes, onions, corn, and bell peppers that are in season. Fresh produce not only tastes better but also provides more nutrients and texture to the dish. Moreover, avoid using canned or frozen vegetables, as they tend to be mushy and bland.
Prepare your ingredients in advance
Before you start cooking, it is advisable to prepare all your ingredients in advance. This means slicing, dicing, or chopping your vegetables, cutting your beef, and measuring out your spices and broth. Prepping your ingredients beforehand helps streamline the cooking process and allows you to focus on the actual cooking. Additionally, it helps you avoid last-minute trips to the grocery store or scrambling to find the right utensils.
Use the right spices
Spices are what make or break any ajiaco recipe. Therefore, use a blend of spices that complements the beef and vegetables, rather than overpowering them. The most common spices used in ajiaco beef and pepper stew include paprika, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, and salt. However, you can experiment with other spices or herbs like thyme, bay leaves, coriander, or smoked paprika, depending on your preferences. Remember to taste your stew as you go along and adjust the seasoning as necessary.
Simmer slowly
Ajiaco beef and pepper stew is a dish that benefits from slow and gentle cooking. Therefore, use a low heat setting and simmer the stew for the recommended time, typically around two to three hours. Avoid turning up the heat too high, as this can cause the beef to become tough and the vegetables to lose their texture and color. It is also essential to stir the stew occasionally to ensure that the beef and vegetables cook evenly and that the spices are well-distributed.
Serve with garnishes
The traditional way of serving ajiaco beef and pepper stew is with a variety of garnishes like capers, sour cream, avocado, and cilantro. These garnishes not only add flavor and texture to the dish but also make it look attractive and inviting. Experiment with different toppings and see which ones work best for you. For instance, if you prefer a spicy kick, you can add jalapenos, hot sauce, or chili flakes. Alternatively, if you prefer a creamier texture, you can add more sour cream or cheese.
Store and reheat properly
Ajiaco beef and pepper stew is a dish that tastes even better the next day when the flavors have had time to meld together. Therefore, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. However, make sure to reheat the stew gently and avoid boiling it, as this can cause the beef and vegetables to become mushy. Instead, heat it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until it reaches the desired temperature. In conclusion, ajiaco beef and pepper stew is a tasty and satisfying dish that requires some patience and attention to detail to make. Therefore, use these valuable tips to help you make the best ajiaco beef and pepper stew recipes. With the right ingredients, techniques, and garnishes, you can create a dish that is full of flavor, texture, and nutrition. Enjoy!

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