Zoo-Tosopy (Paraguayan Ground Beef Stew)
A hearty and flavorful ground beef stew featuring tender beef, sautéed vegetables like onions and tomatoes, and the unique addition of green bananas, all simmered in a savory broth with rice. It's a comforting and satisfying one-pot meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef
- 6 cups Water(cold)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 large Yellow onions(chopped)
- 2 large Tomatoes(chopped)
- 2 medium Green bananas(peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks. Plantains can be substituted.)
- 0.25 cup Uncooked rice
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(or to taste)
👨‍🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- 2
Add water to the pot with the beef. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- 3
Meanwhile, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onions and tomatoes for about 5 minutes until softened.
- 4
Add the sautéed onions and tomatoes, green banana chunks, and uncooked rice to the beef mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
- 5
Stir everything together, cover, and simmer for another 30 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the bananas are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
đź’ˇ Pro Tips
- âś“Ensure the bananas are green; ripe bananas will become too mushy.
- âś“You can brown the beef first for deeper flavor.
- âś“Adjust seasoning to your preference.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like carrots or bell peppers.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.