Fiesta Olé Beef Stew

Dutch ovens are great for one pot meals, as the added weight lets you brown/sear very well. It is truly the best choice for braising pot roast, stew meat and other items where you need to sear the outside and then cook slowly to drive flavor. My family absolutely loves this beef stew with a Mexican twist!

Ingredients:

1/3 cup cornmeal
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1 1/2 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut in 3/4-inch pieces
2 - 3 tablespoons cooking oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups water
2 cups fresh corn kernels or one 10-ounce package frozen whole kernel corn
1 - 28 ounce can whole tomatoes, cut up
1 - 15 ounce can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
2 cups chopped, peeled celery root, or 1 cup sliced celery
1 cup chopped onion
2 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, chopped


Directions:

1.  In a large plastic bag, combine cornmeal, salt, black pepper, and thyme.

2.  Add half of the meat cubes; shake to coat.
3.  In a Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat; add coated meat cubes and cook until browned on all sides.

4.  Remove meat from pan. Repeat with remaining meat and cornmeal mixture, adding remaining oil, if necessary.

5.  Return all meat to Dutch oven; add garlic.

6.  Cook and stir for 30 seconds. Add water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 1 hour or until meat is almost tender.
7.  Add corn, undrained tomatoes, chickpeas, celery root, onion, jalapeno peppers, and chipotle pepper.

8.  Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 25 to 30 minutes more or until meat and vegetables are tender.