I made this stew for dinner tonight along with some Asian brown rice (not American brown rice) and some Chinese sausages for dinner tonight.

Carbonada Stew

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 60 minutes Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 2 TBSP OLIVE OIL

• 1½ POUNDS STEWING BEEF CUT IN SMALL CUBES

• 1 LARGE ONION CHOPPED

• 2 CLOVES GARLIC MINCED

• 4 TOMATOES COARSELY CHOPPED

• 1 GREEN BELL PEPPER COARSELY CHOPPED

• 2 BAY LEAVES

• 1 TSP OREGANO

• 2 TBSP WHITE WINE VINEGAR

• 2 CUPS BEEF STOCK

• 1 CUP WHITE WINE

• 3 LARGE POTATOES PEELED AND CUBED

• 3 SWEET POTATOES PEELED AND CUBED

• 2 CUPS PUMPKIN OR BUTTERNUT SQUASH, PEELED AND CUBED

• 4 EARS SWEET CORN CUT INTO 2-INCH SLICES

• 2 IN PEACHES FRESH OR CANNED, PEELED AND CUT IN ½-INCH DICE

• 1 IN PEAR PEELED AND CUT IN ½-INCH DICE

• 2 TBSP PARSLEY CHOPPED, FOR GARNISH

This may be a rhetorical, but don’t forget the Malbec or the Tannat. Puh-lease. Salud che!

This recipe from Argentina and Uruguay is prepared throughout the country’s regions, particularly in the winter. It's a sweet-and-savory dish that always includes stewed beef; onion; tomatoes; fresh starchy vegetables like corn, squash, or sweet potatoes; and the unusual addition of fruit such as peaches (canned in the colder months), pears, or grapes.

In Argentina, I have even seen people traditionally prepare carbonada inside a whole pumpkin. The contents are added and the whole pumpkin is baked in the oven or over hot coals. The most important component beyond the flavors is the soupy nature. If the liquid disappears, it’s not truly Carbonada so ojo, careful, with that.

I suggest that you experiment with your favorite flavors for your own unique carbonada. This recipe is adapted from my cookbook, “Knack South American Cooking.”

This recipe is an excerpt from my cookbook, Knack South American Cooking. Get your copy here.

Liz is a cookbook author, wine expert and author of Eat Wine, a blog focused on wine and food from the Southern Cone. To learn more about Liz Caskey’s culinary and wine tours in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay

Directions

1 Heat half the oil in a heavy pot. Add beef and brown. Reserve. In the same pot, heat remaining oil and sauté onions until soft. Add the garlic, tomatoes, and pepper; sauté 5 minutes until tomatoes are soft. Mash slightly.

2 Add the bay leaves, oregano, vinegar, stock, and wine. Bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits.

3 Incorporate reserved meat with potatoes, sweet potatoes and pumpkin or squash. Cover and simmer on low, about 40 minutes, until vegetables are tender. During the last five minutes of cooking, add in the corn and fruit; simmer for 5 minutes.

4 To serve, ladle into deep bowls with ample room for the meat, vegetables, and the delicious broth. Garnish with parsley and serve with crusty country bread.