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Preparation
15 minutes
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Cooking
40 minutes
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Difficulty
Easy
Beef stew with tomatoes is a beef dish that is extremely simple but has a rich and delicious flavor that you definitely should not miss. Today, let’s join TasteVN in “rolling up our sleeves” to the kitchen and immediately make this nutritious dish to treat the whole family!
Ingredients for Beef Stew with Tomatoes For 4 people
Beef 900 gr Tomatoes 4 pieces Green onions 1 stalk Ginger 1/2 root Pepper 1 teaspoon (whole pepper) Star anise 6 pieces Dried bay leaves 3 leaves Tomato paste 1 teaspoon (tomato paste) White wine 1 tablespoon Soy sauce 1 tablespoon Dark soy sauce 1/2 teaspoon Cilantro a little Sugar/Salt a little Cooking oil 1 tablespoon
How to choose fresh ingredients
How to choose fresh beef
- In this dish, you can use any part of the cow such as: beef shank, beef tendon, beef tenderloin, brisket,… However, you should choose pieces of meat that have some tendon, a little fat, and meat interspersed, which will make the dish more delicious.
- Fresh beef always has a red color with white streaks intermingled, and the fat is bright yellow. The meat fibers are small and not too fine when looked at.
- When you press on the meat, it feels firm, not mushy, and has good elasticity.
- You should not buy meat that has turned a pale green or dark red color, with dark yellow fat, especially if there are tiny spots on the surface and it feels slimy to the touch.
- Additionally, avoid buying meat that has a strong, unpleasant odor as it indicates that the meat has been stored for too long.
See details: How to choose fresh beef properly
How to choose fresh tomatoes
- Fresh tomatoes are those with bright red skin, plump and firm. When cut in half, the seeds should be yellow, and the flesh should be red. These are naturally ripened tomatoes of very good quality.
- You need to pay attention to the aroma; naturally ripened tomatoes usually have a very distinctive fragrance, while those that have been artificially ripened have no smell at all.
- Finally, check if the stem is still attached to the fruit. Naturally ripened tomatoes will have a fresh green stem firmly attached at the top. Gently pull to see if the stem comes off easily; if not, choose that tomato.
What is tomato powder? Where to buy tomato powder
- Tomato powder (Tomato Paste) is a mixture of tomatoes that have been cooked multiple times to remove water and concentrate to extract the sauce with a flavor entirely from tomatoes.
- Tomato powder is often used as a seasoning to add color and enhance the flavor of Italian dishes such as spaghetti, pizza, or
- Because it is a concentrated mixture of tomatoes, the flavor of tomato powder is very strong, so you need to pay attention to the dosage when adding it to dishes!
- You can find tomato powder at supermarkets, specialty European food stores, or on e-commerce websites.
- When purchasing, be sure to carefully check the information about the origin, ingredients, and expiration date printed on the packaging.
Tools needed
Pressure cooker, pot, knife, cutting board, bowl,…
How to cook Tomato Beef Stew
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Prepare the ingredients
Wash the ginger with water and then slice it. Wash the tomatoes, then use a knife to cut them into wedges.
Trim the roots of the green onions, wash them clean, and then cut them into pieces about 2 finger lengths long.
Prepare a cloth bag, add the green onions, ginger, 3 bay leaves, 6 star anise, and 1 teaspoon of whole pepper into it, then tie it tightly.
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Prepare the beef
To remove dirt and unpleasant odors, soak the bought beef in diluted saltwater for about 5 – 10 minutes, then rinse it with cold water and let it drain.
Next, use a knife to cut the beef into small square pieces, about 1.5 – 2 finger lengths thick.
Tip: Do not cut the beef too small as it will cause the beef to break apart and become mushy while braising.
Ways to eliminate the unpleasant smell of beef:
- Method 1: Soak the beef in white wine for 15 minutes, then rinse it with clean water.
- Method 2: Place the beef in a pot of water, boil for about 3 – 5 minutes, then take it out and rinse it to reduce the odor. Note that you should only heat it to about 50 degrees Celsius, not boil it.
- Method 3: Use lemon or vinegar to rub on the beef for 5 – 7 minutes, then rinse with clean water.
- Method 4: Roast a piece of ginger, then crush it and rub it on the beef, then rinse it clean.
See details: Effective and easy ways to prepare and eliminate the unpleasant smell of beef
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Boiling beef
Put the beef into the pot and pour enough water to cover the meat. Place the pot on the stove and boil over high heat until the water in the pot boils and bubbles appear.
Next, remove the beef, rinse briefly with water to clean off the bubbles, and let it drain completely.
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Stir-frying beef briefly
Heat the pressure cooker on the “Sauté” mode for about 3 – 5 minutes.
Next, add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil and heat it up, then add the beef and stir-fry briefly for about 2 – 3 minutes until the meat is browned and drained of water.
Then, add 1 teaspoon of tomato paste, 1 tablespoon of white wine, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon of dark soy sauce, then stir well for about 3 – 5 minutes for the meat to absorb the seasoning.
Tip: Since tomato paste is much more flavorful than tomato sauce, you need to pay attention to the amount to avoid making the dish too sour and pungent!
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Stew the beef with tomatoes
When the beef has absorbed the spices, add the tomatoes and sauté for about 3 minutes until the tomatoes are just cooked.
Add 1 teaspoon of sugar along with the prepared spice bag into the pot, pour in an additional 120ml of water (about 1 cup), and stir well.
Cover the pot, select the “Meat/Stew” mode, and proceed to stew the meat for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, release the pressure valve and continue to let the beef rest in the pot for about another 10 minutes.
Next, open the pot lid, remove the spice bag, and then add 1/4 teaspoon of salt into the pot.
Switch the pressure cooker to “Sauté” mode and cook for about another 3 minutes, then taste and adjust the seasoning before turning off the heat.
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Completion
Scoop the tomato stewed beef into a bowl, add a little cilantro on top, and garnish it nicely to complete the dish.
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Final Product
The tomato beef stew when completed has a beautiful red color, accompanied by a captivating aroma from ginger, star anise, bay leaf, and pepper. The beef is stewed until tender, evenly soaked with spices, mingling with the sweet and sour taste of tomatoes, creating a stimulating sensation for the taste buds.
This dish can be served with white rice, bread, or fresh noodles, all of which are absolutely wonderful!
See more
Hope that with the delicious ways to make beef stew with tomatoes that TasteVN has just shared can help you add flavor to your family’s meals. Wishing you success with your own delicious dish!
