Beef stew with Okra

It goes without saying that there are many ways of cooking beef. Stew is one common method and is popular all over the world. The stew includes many other ingredients and vegetables which all add to the flavour and nutritional benefits.

In order for the beef to be tender, you may need to boil it first before making the stew. Boiling also ensures that the meat is fully cooked and therefore no risks of illnesses caused by partly cooked meat.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 kg beef
  • 5 pcs okra
  • 3 peeled potatoes
  • 1 large onion
  • 4 tomatoes
  • 3 pcs crushed/finely chopped garlic
  • 3 pcs carrots
  • 1 finely chopped pepper (optional)
  • Oil
  • Salt 
  • Royco/curry powder
  • Garam masala/cumin seeds

 Method:

  1. Put cut beef cubes in a sauce pan/sufuria and boil till tender, about thirty minutes. You can either boil till water evaporates or drain the beef broth and add it to the stew later instead of plain water.
  2. Pour oil to the dry beef then add onions and cook till onions are browned.
  3. Add the crushed garlic and garam masala or cumin seeds and cook for a minute.
  4. Add the pepper, carrots,okra,tomatoes and potatoes and cook for ten minutes.
  5. Add royco and broth or enough water to make the stew. Cover and boil for five minutes.
  6. Taste and add salt to your liking then simmer for another five minutes till the potatoes are done.
  7. Serve.

Beef stew in Coconut milk

In a previous post I shared how to prepare a simple dish of green vegetables using coconut milk.
It is common practice to cook a lot of dishes in the coastal region with coconut. I will now share with you a quick method of preparing beef stew using coconut milk. It can be served with rice, ugali/sima (a firm cooked meal of corn flour and water), chapatis, pasta or any other accompaniment of your choice.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 kg Beef, cubed 
  • 1 onion
  • 1 green bell pepper
  • 1 green or chili pepper (optional)
  • 4 pieces of garlic, crushed or chopped into tiny pieces
  • Oil for frying
  • Sat, and
  • Coconut milk

Follow this procedure:

  1.  Chop the onion, add oil and put on heat. Cook till tender.
  2. Add the garlic and cook for a minute
  3. Add the cubed beef pieces and stir to coat all the pieces with the onion and garlic flavors
  4. Cover and cook till beef is all browned. Do not allow the beef to stick to the sides or bottom off the cooking pot
  5. Add the bell peppers at once and continue stirring. Add salt and cover.
  6. Cook for about ten minutes then pour in the coconut milk into the cooking pot. Mix thoroughly.

 7. Cover again and let the food simmer for about five minutes then serve hot.

If you would like to add any spices, do add in moderation, so that the taste of the coconut milk is preserved. Enjoy your meal.