Spicy Meat Stew with Middle Eastern Flavors

Ingredients

In this Kuwaiti adaptation, we incorporate Middle Eastern spices like cumin, coriander, and cinnamon to add a unique flavor profile to the dish. Additionally, we introduce traditional Middle Eastern ingredients such as dates and saffron to enhance the sweetness and depth of the stew. We alse have the original recipe for Picante de carne, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef or lamb, cut into chunks 500g (1.1 lb) beef or lamb, cut into chunks
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 cup (240ml) beef or vegetable broth 1 cup (240ml) beef or vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup (60ml) water 1/4 cup (60ml) water
• 1/4 cup (60ml) lemon juice 1/4 cup (60ml) lemon juice
• 1/4 cup (60ml) pitted dates, chopped 1/4 cup (60ml) pitted dates, chopped
• A pinch of saffron threads A pinch of saffron threads
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish) Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 10g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they turn golden brown.
2. 2.
   Add the meat chunks to the pot and cook until they are browned on all sides.
3. 3.
   Stir in the diced red bell pepper and tomatoes, and cook for a few minutes until they soften.
4. 4.
   Add the tomato paste, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Mix well to coat the meat and vegetables with the spices.
5. 5.
   Pour in the beef or vegetable broth, water, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
6. 6.
   Add the chopped dates and saffron threads to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7.
   Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the meat is tender and the sauce has thickened.
8. 8.
   Serve the spicy meat stew hot, garnished with fresh cilantro. It pairs perfectly with steamed rice or warm bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Dates — Soak the dates in warm water for 10 minutes before chopping them. This will soften them and make them easier to incorporate into the stew.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add more cayenne pepper or a chopped chili pepper.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with a little water and add it to the stew during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
• This stew tastes even better the next day, as the flavors have had time to meld together. Consider making it in advance and reheating it for a delicious meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Kuwaiti Spiced Meat Stew with steamed basmati rice or warm Arabic bread. It is also delicious when accompanied by a fresh salad or pickled vegetables.

Presentation advice

Garnish the stew with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro to add a pop of color. Serve it in a deep bowl or on a large platter, allowing the rich sauce to surround the tender meat chunks.