Argentinian Recipes: Carbonada Criolla (Stew with Meat, Vegetables, and Fruit)

Carbonada Criolla 

Argentina is one of the world's major food suppliers. It is a major producer of beef, wheat, corn, milk beans, and soybeans. Argentine cuisine evolved distinctly from the rest of Latin American cuisine because of the heavy influence of Italian, Spanish, French and other European cuisines. 
In Argentina, criollos were known as those who were born within the country but of Spanish descent. Also, native cuisine, based on past European influences, is known in Argentina as comida criolla. 
Carbonada criolla is a traditional Argentine dish usually made with beef, squash and peaches. This is a very delicious stew. With mArgany ingredients simmered together, this stew has wonderful flavors that all compliment each other very well. This stew is very good served alone, or it can be accompanied by a steamed vegetable and bread. This is a perfect dish that can simmers all day long and fills the kitchen with a wonderful aroma that makes everyone ask when dinner will be ready.

Ingredients

• 3 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 pounds of stewing beef, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 4 large tomatoes, chopped thick
• 1 green pepper, chopped thick
• 1 large onion
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 2 cups canned chicken stock
• 3 potatoes, diced into 1-inch cubes
• 3 sweet potatoes, diced into 1-inch cubes
• 2 ears of corn, cut into 1-inch widths (or use 2 cups of frozen corn)
• 2 zucchini, diced into ½-inch pieces
• 2 peaches in ½-inch pieces
• 2 pears in ½-inch pieces

Step 1:

Heat the oil in a large pot or pan and add small amounts of your beef at a time and brown on all sides, do this till you have browned all your meat  and set aside.

Step 2:

In that same pot, cook tomatoes, pepper, onion, and garlic until they have gone soft.

Step 3:

Add bay leaves, oregano, and chicken stock to the pot or pan and bring to a boil, make sure you stir well so nothing gets stuck to the bottom of your pan.

Step 4:

Return your browned  beef to the pot, you could cook this for as long as you like till your meat falls apart from tenderness 30 minutes before you would like to serve your dish  add potatoes and sweet potatoes. Now cover and simmer for around 15 minutes.

Step 5:

Stir in the Zucchini and corn and simmer 10 more minutes, or until vegetables are almost soft, then add the peaches and pears.

If you would add these last ingredients while it simmers for hours you are going to end up with mashed up vegetables and the result just wouldn't be the same.

Step 6:

Cook for 5 more minutes and serve while still hot.

Now in Argentina they would say " Disfrutar de su comida " which means;

                                                                 " Enjoy your Meal "

Where can we find Argentina in the world?

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