Mood Beef (Portuguese Beef Stew)

Mood Beef (Portuguese Beef Stew)

Time: 2 hrs 15 mins

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 1/2 lbs beef round steak, cut into thin strips
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 green peppers, cut into thin strips
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 (35 ounce) can Italian plum tomatoes, crushed with your hands, with their juice
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup ditalini
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves

Directions

• 1 In a Dutch oven or heavy skillet heat the olive oil over high heat.
• 2 Season the beef with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and the black pepper.
• 3 Saute the beef, in batches if necessary so that the pan is not crowded, until well-browned on all sides, about 4 minutes. Transfer the beef to a plate and set aside.
• 4 Add the onion and green peppers to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and caramelized around the edges, about 6 minutes.
• 5 Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• 6 Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• 7 Add the tomatoes, water, bay leaf, crushed red pepper and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt.
• 8 Return the beef to the pan and bring the sauce to a boil.
• 9 Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, partially covered, for 1 1/2 hours or until the meat is very tender.
• 10 Add the ditalini to the gravy and cook until tender, about 25 minutes.
• 11 Add the parsley. Serve immediately.