Stewed dishes are always a great choice for family meals, especially during the cold weather. Just mentioning stew brings to mind a rich, warm flavor, along with tender pieces of meat, infused with spices that melt instantly on the tongue. Besides being delicious, stew dishes are also very nutritious.
However, not everyone knows the tricks to cooking a quick and tender stew that is also flavorful. Here are 3 secrets to creating a delicious stew without using a pressure cooker.
1. Use hot water to stew the meat
You should not use cold water to stew the meat because the cold water will cause the meat to contract, making it tough and difficult to cook. Instead, use hot water when stewing the meat. This helps to speed up the cooking process and retain the tenderness of the meat.
2. Add sugar to the stewing liquid
Add a tablespoon of white sugar to the stewing liquid not only enhances the flavor of the meat but also helps it cook faster and become tender. The sugar helps to penetrate the meat fibers and tenderize the meat quickly.
3. Stew the meat with vegetables
Vegetables such as potatoes, pineapples, and carrots, when added to the stew pot, not only provide additional nutrients but also help tenderize the meat faster. These vegetables contain natural enzymes that can soften the muscle fibers in the meat.
In addition, spices like lemongrass and ginger also stimulate faster tenderizing compared to not using them.
Here is a recipe for beef stew with potatoes that does not require a pressure cooker:
Ingredients
Beef sirloin: 500g
Potatoes: 3 pieces
Carrots: 2 pieces
Onion: 1 piece
Ginger: 1 small piece
Garlic: 4 cloves
Red wine: 50ml
Broth: 500ml
Seasonings: cooking oil, salt, bouillon, sugar, pepper, bay leaves
Steps
Prepare the ingredients: Rinse the beef sirloin, cut into pieces, and drain. Prepare the potatoes, carrots, onions, and ginger as instructed.
Marinate the beef: Mix the sliced beef with 2 cloves of minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Marinate for about 20 minutes to allow the meat to absorb the flavors.
Sauté the meat: Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan or large pot, add the beef and sauté. When the beef has browned and developed a nice color, proceed to the next step.
Stew the beef with red wine: Add 50ml of red wine to the beef, cook until the wine evaporates almost completely.
Stew the beef: After the wine has evaporated, pour the broth into the pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat, cover tightly, and stew the beef for about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Add vegetables: When the beef is nearly tender, add the prepared potatoes, carrots, and onions to the pot. Continue to stew until all the vegetables are completely tender.
Season to taste: Finally, check the taste of the stewing liquid, add more salt, bouillon, sugar, and pepper according to your taste and preferences.
After seasoning to your liking, add some aromatic herbs to enhance the flavor of the dish. Turn off the heat and let the stew cool slightly before serving.
Notes for stewing: To keep the beef tender and avoid it being tough, simmer on low heat and keep the pot tightly covered. This helps to evenly cook the meat and allow the flavors to penetrate without losing too much moisture, thus maintaining the necessary juiciness.
According to Đời sống Pháp luật
Ingredients:
– Beef sirloin: 500g
– Potatoes: 3 pieces
– Carrots: 2 pieces
– Onion: 1 piece
– Ginger: 1 small piece
– Garlic: 4 cloves
– Red wine: 50ml
– Broth: 500ml
– Seasonings: Cooking oil, salt, bouillon, sugar, pepper, bay leaves
Steps:
1. Prepare the ingredients: Rinse and cut the beef sirloin into pieces, then drain. Prepare the vegetables as instructed.
2. Marinate the beef: Mix the sliced beef with minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate for 20 minutes to absorb the flavors.
3. Sauté the meat: Heat cooking oil in a pan or large pot and add the beef. Sauté until the beef is browned.
4. Stew the beef with red wine: Add red wine to the beef and cook until the wine evaporates almost completely.
5. Stew the beef: Pour the broth into the pot and bring it to a boil. Reduce to a low heat, cover tightly, and stew for 1 to 1.5 hours.
6. Add vegetables: Once the beef is nearly tender, add the potatoes, carrots, and onions to the pot. Continue stewing until all vegetables are tender.
7. Season to taste: Adjust the seasoning with salt, bouillon, sugar, and pepper according to your preference. Add aromatic herbs to enhance the flavor.
8. Serve: Turn off the heat and let the stew cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!