Best 4 Moms Portuguese Beef Stew Recipes

CAçOILA | PORTUGUESE STEWED BEEF

Steps:

• The day before cooking, in a large bowl, coat the beef with the crushed red pepper, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
• About 4 hours before you intend to sit down at the table, scatter the onion slices, parsley, garlic, and bay leaves in the bottom of a Dutch oven. Tuck the allspice and cloves in a piece of cheesecloth tied together with kitchen twine or in a tea ball and toss them in the Dutch oven. If desired, season the beef with salt. Place the beef on top and dot with the butter or lard.
• In a measuring glass or bowl, stir together the wine, tomato paste, and cinnamon and pour it over the beef.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to a very gentle simmer, cover, and cook until the meat is very tender, 3 to 3 1/2 hours, turning the pieces occasionally. For a more stew-like version, keep the lid on for the duration of cooking. For a more concentrated, glaze-like sauce version, about halfway through cooking, remove the lid to let some of the liquid evaporate so the sauce can concentrate in consistency and flavor.
• Remove the bay leaves and the cheesecloth pouch or teaball. If desired, serve the caçoila with boiled white potatoes, roasted red peppers, and cooked greens. Originally published May 10, 2001.

MOM'S BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Place soup bones and water in a Dutch oven or soup kettle. Slowly bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours. , Set beef bones aside until cool enough to handle. Remove meat from bones; discard bones and return meat to broth. Add the potatoes, carrots, onion, barley, tomatoes, salt, pepper, garlic and bay leaf if desired. Cover and simmer for 50-60 minutes or until vegetables and barley are tender. , Discard bay leaf. Combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth; stir into stew. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

PORTUGUESE CHOURICO STEW

Steps:

• Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Saute chourico, onion and garlic until onion is tender. Stir in tomato sauce, water and potatoes. Season with red pepper and paprika. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 25 to 30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Stir in green beans, and simmer 5 to 10 minutes, or until heated through.

MOOD BEEF (PORTUGUESE BEEF STEW)

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven or heavy skillet heat the olive oil over high heat.
• Season the beef with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and the black pepper.
• Saute the beef, in batches if necessary so that the pan is not crowded, until well-browned on all sides, about 4 minutes. Transfer the beef to a plate and set aside.
• Add the onion and green peppers to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and caramelized around the edges, about 6 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Add the tomatoes, water, bay leaf, crushed red pepper and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt.
• Return the beef to the pan and bring the sauce to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, partially covered, for 1 1/2 hours or until the meat is very tender.
• Add the ditalini to the gravy and cook until tender, about 25 minutes.
• Add the parsley. Serve immediately.