Chakapuli Beef Stew with Sour Cherries
A rich and flavorful beef stew, this Chakapuli variation incorporates the tartness of sour cherries, offering a unique twist on the traditional Georgian dish. Slow-cooked with aromatic herbs and spices, it's a hearty and comforting meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 lbs Beef chuck roast(cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 3 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 1.5 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Allspice
- 0.5 tsp Cinnamon
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 4 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 3 cups Yellow onions(thinly sliced)
- 1 cup Dried sour cherries(pitted)
- 2 tbsp Sugar
- 2 tbsp Red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp Water
- 1 cup Dry red wine
- 1 cup Beef broth
- 0.5 lb Mushrooms(quartered)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cut beef into 1-inch cubes. Combine flour, salt, allspice, cinnamon, and pepper in a plastic bag. Add beef cubes to the bag and shake to coat evenly.
- 2
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add one-third of the beef cubes and cook until browned on all sides, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Transfer the browned beef to a heavy Dutch oven. Repeat with the remaining beef in two more batches, adding 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet for each batch. Transfer the meat to the Dutch oven as it browns.
- 3
Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the sliced onions and dried sour cherries. Cook over medium heat until the onions are soft and lightly browned, about 10 minutes, stirring frequently and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Stir in the sugar, red wine vinegar, and water. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook until the onions brown further, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.
- 4
Add the onion and cherry mixture to the beef in the Dutch oven. Stir in the red wine and beef broth. Add the quartered mushrooms. Cover the Dutch oven and bake in the preheated oven until the beef is tender, about 2 hours. If the liquid is too thin during the last 30 minutes of baking, uncover the stew. If the stew is too dry, add a small amount of beef stock or red wine.
- 5
Serve hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the dried sour cherries are pitted before adding them to the stew.
- ✓For a richer flavor, use a good quality dry red wine.
- ✓Adjust the sugar and vinegar to achieve your desired balance of tartness and sweetness.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a bay leaf during the simmering process for added aroma.
- Incorporate other root vegetables like carrots or parsnips along with the mushrooms.