Namibian Beef Stew With Potatoes And Carrots
Namibian classic, this beef stew with potatoes and carrots is a family favorite. It's so rich and thick, the beef is PERFECTLY cooked (you could cut it with a spoon) and the potatoes and carrots still have a little bite to them but still tender.
Servings: 4 Servings
Ingredients
- 500 g (1.1 lbs) beef chucks/shanks
- 1 medium onion
- 1 bell pepper
- 2 garlic cloves
- 15 g (½ oz) grated ginger root
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme /1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 ½ teaspoons curry powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon chutney / 1 teaspoon sugar
- 200 g (7 ½ oz) canned diced tomatoes
- 2 bay leaves
- 400 ml (13 ½ fl.oz/ about 1 2/3 cups) water hot
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 large carrots
- 400 g (0.88 lbs) potatoes
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes or more depending on your taste
- 1 tablespoon sunflower oil
Instructions
- Pat dry the meat with kitchen papers (paper towels) and cut it into bite-sized pieces. In a large saucepan or pot, heat 2 tablespoons sunflower oil (or whatever you prefer) over medium heat and brown the meat chunks, until you get a golden crust on the beef. Don’t overcrowd the pot, otherwise the meat won’t brown.
- In the meantime peel and mince garlic and onions. Then peel and grate ginger root and dice bell peppers. Remove the meat from the pan and set aside. In the same pan (without cleaning it) add the onions, and cook for about 2 minutes. Then add garlic, ginger and bell peppers and cook for about 3 minutes or until soft. Add curry, turmeric, thyme, tomato paste, pepper flakes, sugar/ chutney and combine well.
- Add back the browned beef and bay leaves and stir in canned tomatoes and hot water and bring to boil. Once it boils, turn down the heat to medium low, cover with the lid and let it cook for about 70 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile peel potatoes and carrots and cut them into chunks. After 70 minute cooking time, add the potatoes and carrots and season with salt and pepper and give everything a good stir.
- Cover and cook for 30 minutes. After remove the lid and cook for further 15 minutes to let the sauce reduce. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Then remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs from the stew. Serve the stew with hot pap, yellow rice, bread or any side of your choice.
Notes
- Keep stirring and adding water (if necessary) in between, so that the bottom of the pot doesn’t burn.