Manado-style Beef Stew

Ingredients

In this adaptation, the Croatian Žgvacet is transformed into a Manado-style Beef Stew by incorporating the unique flavors and spices of Manado cuisine. The original dish is traditionally made with paprika and tomatoes, while the Manado version replaces these ingredients with lemongrass, ginger, turmeric, and chili peppers. This gives the stew a distinctively spicy and aromatic profile, characteristic of Manado cuisine. We alse have the original recipe for Žgvacet od teletine, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cut into cubes 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cut into cubes
• 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised
• 2-inch piece ginger, sliced 2-inch piece ginger, sliced
• 2 turmeric leaves, torn 2 turmeric leaves, torn
• 3 red chili peppers, sliced 3 red chili peppers, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, chopped 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 500ml (2 cups) beef broth 500ml (2 cups) beef broth
• 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 4g
• Protein: 40g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, and sauté until fragrant.
2. 2.
   Add the beef cubes to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.
3. 3.
   Stir in the sliced chili peppers, ginger, lemongrass, and torn turmeric leaves. Cook for a few minutes to release their flavors.
4. 4.
   Add the diced tomatoes, salt, and sugar to the pot. Stir well to combine.
5. 5.
   Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 2 hours or until the beef is tender.
6. 6.
   Once the beef is tender, remove the lemongrass stalks and turmeric leaves from the pot.
7. 7.
   Stir in the lime juice and adjust the seasoning if needed.
8. 8.
   Serve the Manado-style Beef Stew hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lemongrass — Bruise the lemongrass stalks by lightly pounding them with a rolling pin or the back of a knife. This helps release their aromatic oils and enhances the flavor of the stew.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add more chili peppers to the stew.
• If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little water and add it to the stew during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Serve the Manado-style Beef Stew with steamed rice or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.

Serving advice

Serve the Manado-style Beef Stew hot, garnished with fresh cilantro. Accompany it with steamed rice or crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Present the Manado-style Beef Stew in a deep bowl, allowing the vibrant yellow color of the stew to stand out. Garnish it with a sprig of fresh cilantro for an added touch of freshness.