South Texas Carne Guisada Recipes

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 CON PAPAS

Steps:

• Use a mortar and pestle to mash the garlic, minced chile, peppercorns and cumin seeds into a smooth paste. Add 1/4 cup water and mash until the paste is incorporated into the water. Transfer the mixture to a measuring cup. (Alternately, blend the garlic, minced chile, peppercorns and cumin seeds in a blender with about 1/4 cup water, occasionally scraping down the sides of the blender until very well blended, about 5 minutes.)
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium. Add half the steak and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer the browned meat to a plate and repeat with the remaining oil and meat. Return the browned meat to the Dutch oven then add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle the flour and 1 teaspoon salt over the beef and stir to incorporate, then add the blended garlicky liquid and just enough water to barely cover the meat (about 2 cups). Increase the heat to medium-high and use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the Dutch oven, releasing any browned bits.
• Bring the liquid to a boil, then immediately lower the heat so that it cooks at a low simmer. Cover the pot and cook until the meat is tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Remove the lid and stir in the cubed potatoes. Let the guisada cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender and the sauce has thickened slightly, about 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt. Divide among bowls and serve with hot tortillas, plus cilantro and sliced chile, if using.

SOUTH TEXAS CARNE GUISADA

Steps:

• Cut beef into 3/4-inch cubes.
• In nonstick skillet over medium heat, saute beef until brown.
• Add oil and flour and toss with beef until flour is brown.
• Add water and spices, stirring well.
• Add beef broth and reduce heat to medium low.
• Simmer approximately 30 minutes until beef is tender.
• (If sauce seems too thin, add a bit more flour to desired consistency.) Serve spooned onto flour tortillas (like tacos).
• Garnish with sour cream, cheese and pico de gallo.

SOUTH TEXAS CARNE GUISADA

Steps:

• Heat vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Place the beef sirloin in the Dutch oven and cook until the cubes are brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion, red bell pepper, tomatoes, garlic, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, paprika, and water.
• Continue cooking, stirring often, until the meat is tender, about 30 minutes.