Rio Grande Valley Style Carne Guisada Food

RIO GRANDE VALLEY STYLE CARNE GUISADA

Steps:

• Cube meat (about 1"), removing all fat and gristle.
• Sear meat in oil.
• Add water and cook on medium-low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Toast cumin seeds in a small sauté skillet on medium-high until they begin to smoke slightly.
• Grind the hot cumin seeds with a mortar and pestle.
• Add oregano, ground toasted cumin, black pepper, salt and garlic to the meat.
• Add vegetables (bell pepper, onion and tomato) and continue to cook about 30 minutes.
• Add tomato sauce, chili powder and paprika.
• Continue to simmer for another 15-20 minutes.
• While the meat is simmering, heat 2 tbsp oil in a small sauté pan and add flour over medium-low heat.
• Stir the flour and oil constantly until the flour turns a light golden brown (roux).
• Add the roux to the meat and continue to simmer for about another 30 minutes.
• Serve carne guisada with rice and beans and flour or corn tortillas.
• Note: can speed the cooking time by using a pressure cooker.

CARNE GUISADA

Steps:

• Dredge stew meat in flour.
• In a large stock pot brown the beef on medium high heat in 2 tbsp of olive oil. remove meat.
• Add in 2 tbsp of olive oil and cook on medium heat.
• Add in the onions until translucent.
• Add the garlic and cook about 1 more minute.
• Throw in the browned meat and add herbs, spices, water and canned tomatoes.
• Turn up heat to high and bring to a boil.
• And turn heat down to low and simmer for 5 hours.
• I sometimes take a short cut and dredge and brown the meat in a skillet then throw everything in a crock pot and let simmer on low for 6-8 hours depending on how tender you like the meat. You can also cut down on the water quite a bit when using the crock pot and add water as needed.

AUTHENTIC CARNE GUISADA

Steps:

• Brown beef well in a large cast iron dutch oven, a heavy stainless steel pot can be used with good results.
• Add onion and garlic and cook until onions are translucent.
• Add stock, chili powder, comino, salt, and pepper.
• Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 hours or until beef is very tender.
• In a separate skillet mix flour and oil together to form a roux.
• Cook over medium high heat until a dark beige color, about 5 minutes.
• Be careful not to let it burn.
• Carefully add roux to stewed beef.
• Be very careful because it can splatter.
• Bring back to a simmer and thicken, simmer for 5-10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
• Serve like a soft taco on flour tortillas with fresh cilantro, chopped onions, shredded cheese and sour cream for garnish.