Description
Portuguese beef pumpkin stew blends hearty meat with autumn’s warmth in a comforting one-pot meal. Home cooks can savor rich flavors connecting tradition and seasonal ingredients with each satisfying spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
Vegetables:
- 1 small pumpkin (2–3 pounds or 907–1361 grams), peeled, seeded, and cubed
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 large carrots, sliced
- 2 large potatoes, cubed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 4 cups (946 milliliters) beef broth (low sodium)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over moderate flame, creating a golden sear on beef chunks in multiple rounds, then transfer to a separate plate.
- Utilize the identical pot to sauté aromatic onions and minced garlic with tomato paste, allowing ingredients to soften and develop rich caramelized notes.
- Introduce warm spices like cumin, cinnamon, and smoked paprika, toasting briefly to release their intense fragrant essence and create a deep flavor foundation.
- Reunite the previously seared beef with root vegetables including carrots, potatoes, and hearty pumpkin cubes, then pour in robust beef broth to create a luxurious cooking liquid.
- Elevate temperature until liquid reaches a vigorous bubble, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer, allowing ingredients to meld and tenderize for approximately 90-120 minutes at low temperature.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly cracked black pepper, creating a balanced flavor profile that complements the rich, earthy stew.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous finish that adds visual appeal and a touch of brightness to the rustic dish.
Notes
- Optimize meat tenderness by choosing chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling for maximum flavor and softness.
- Cut beef and vegetables into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the stew.
- Enhance depth of flavor by deglazing the pot with a splash of red wine after browning beef, capturing all those delicious caramelized bits stuck to the bottom.
- Adapt for dietary needs by substituting beef with lamb, turkey, or plant-based protein alternatives like jackfruit or firm tofu for different dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg