If you are looking for a warming and delicious meal with plenty of Mexican flavours, the way they are made back home, then you are in the right place. The sauce in this dish is smooth and made with guajillo chiles which makes it not spicy but full of flavour. Add some cactus for texture and flavour and you have a beautiful and rounded meal that you'll love.
Beef & Cactus Stew
-450g chuck, short ribs or oxtail, cut into even-sized cubes
-150g baby potatoes or equivalent cut into wedges.
-1 small onion, sliced
-2 garlic cloves
-1 cup tomato passata
-½ cup chicken or beef stock
-salt & pepper, to taste
-1 ½ tbsp flour
-1 tbsp vegetable oil
-1 tbsp butter
1 Clean the guajillo chiles. Remove the stems and seeds and rinse them under running water. Place them in a bowl and cover with hot, boiling water for 15 minutes.
2 Once the guajillos have softened, transfer them to a blender with the garlic cloves, passata, salt and pepper to taste. Blend until smooth. Reserve.
3 Season the beef chunks with salt, pepper and flour. Toss until evenly coated.
4 Add the oil to a large pan set to medium heat. Once hot, sear the beef pieces on all sides. Once it is browned, add the onions and potatoes to the pan and toss for about 7 minutes until the onions just start to soften.
5 Pour the sauce and the stock over the beef and potatoes and bring to a boil. Bring the heat down to a minimum and cover. Cook for 40 minutes.
6 While the stew is going, add the cactus from the jar to a strainer and rinse under cold running water for a minute. Let them drain completely.
7 Check the beef and potatoes to be cooked thoroughly and season with salt and pepper to taste. Depending on the cut of beef, the cooking process can take longer. Once the stew is right, add the cactus and stir. Allow to cook for 15 more minutes.
8 Serve hot with diced onions, coriander and creme fraiche on top. Don’t forget to have corn tortillas on the side for taquitos or mopping that delicious sauce.
Love cactus? Then try this amazing Cactus Salsa Verde! This is an excellent recipe to learn to love this amazing ingredient if you are not too familiar with it.