Slow Cooker Spiced Braised Beef with Sweet Potatoes
“Think Spring” (Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland)
My slow cookers—that’s right, I’ve got more than one—have been getting quite a workout thanks to the snow upon snow upon snow we’re getting out my way. This evening my big boy outdid himself (and yes, I am referring to my 6 quart) by whipping up a dee-lish-us take on beef stew, which in this incarnation (courtesy of Real Simple) goes by the name “Spiced Braised Beef with Sweet Potatoes.” Enjoy!
SPICED BRAISED BEEF WITH SWEET POTATOES*
(serves 6)
1.5 pounds beef chuck, cut into chunks
2 sweet potatoes (about 1 pound), cut into 1/2-inch thick half-moons
1 28-oz. can whole peeled tomatoes
1 large red onion, cut into wedges
1/2 cup dried apricots
2 tsps. ground cumin
2 tsps. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
3/4 tsp. Kosher salt**
1/2 cup water
1 10-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed
2 cups baby spinach***
1/4 cup roasted almonds, chopped
1. In a four- to six-quart slow cooker, combine the beef, potatoes, tomatoes (and their juices), onion, apricots, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, and 1/2 cup water.
2. Cook covered until the meat is tender. On HIGH, for about four to five hours, or on LOW, for about seven to eight hours.
3. A few minutes before serving, add the chickpeas and baby spinach. Serve with the couscous**** and sprinkled with almonds.
Notes:
* I took pictures of the stew, but, uhm, I think the snow ate them.
** I ended up adding more salt before serving.
***In lieu of baby spinach, I used frozen spinach I had on hand. I steamed the spinach, pressed out as much water as I could, then mixed it in. You also could defrost and drain the spinach while the stew cooks. It’ll cook when you add it to the crockpot.
****Out of sheer laziness, I skipped the couscous and almonds, opting instead for a slice of ciabatta withs some butter. I imagine this dish would also work over brown rice, quinoa, or similar grains.
Posted on February 10, 2010, in Recipes and tagged beef stew, crockpot recipe, main course recipe, slow cooker, stew with turkish spices. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.
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