Carne de Vaca Guisada com Quiabos e Ginguba
A rich and savory beef stew, slow-cooked with okra and ground peanuts (ginguba), creating a thick, flavorful sauce that is a staple in Angolan homes.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Beef(stewing cuts like chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes)
- 300 g Okra(trimmed and sliced)
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 5 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 400 g Tomatoes(chopped (or 1 can diced tomatoes))
- 150 g Ground peanuts (ginguba)(unsalted, roasted)
- 500 ml Vegetable broth
- 3 tbsp Palm oil (dendê)
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 tsp Coriander powder
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- as needed Water
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
- 2
Heat palm oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides. Remove beef and set aside.
- 3
Reduce heat to medium. Add chopped onion to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Stir in the chopped tomatoes, bay leaf, and coriander powder. Cook for about 5 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- 5
Return the seared beef to the pot. Pour in the vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 1.5 hours, or until the beef is tender.
- 6
In a separate bowl, mix the ground peanuts with about 1 cup of water to form a smooth paste. Add this paste to the stew.
- 7
Add the sliced okra to the stew. Stir well to combine. Continue to simmer, uncovered, for another 20-30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the okra is tender. Add more water if the stew becomes too thick.
- 8
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot, typically with funge or rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Searing the beef in batches ensures a good crust and deeper flavor.
- ✓The peanut paste helps to thicken the sauce and adds a rich, nutty flavor.
- ✓Okra can sometimes become slimy; adding it towards the end of cooking helps minimize this.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of chili flakes for a bit of heat.
- Incorporate other vegetables like carrots or sweet potatoes.
- For a richer flavor, use beef broth instead of vegetable broth.