Season 08 - Dinner / S08D09
Carne Guisada with Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Story
The rain had been tapping gently on the roof all morning, and the air carried that earthy smell that only comes with a good downpour. Don Luis, wearing his signature jean-and-leather apron, leaned into the warmth of the stove. Today felt like a “slow-simmering stew” kind of day—the kind of day where stories are stirred just as much as pots. ☔️🧅🍲 With a twinkle in his eye, Don Luis began chopping onions, thinking of his grandfather who used to say, *“La carne guisada no se cocina con prisa… se cocina con cariño.”* (Stew isn’t cooked in a hurry… it’s cooked with love.) As the rich aroma of browned beef and spices filled the air, he tossed sweet potatoes into the oven, their natural sweetness ready to balance the bold, savory meat. This was more than dinner—it was a warm hug from the past. ❤️🥔✨
Ingredients
- For the Carne Guisada:
- 1½ lb beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes 🥩
- 2 tbsp olive oil 🛢️
- 1 medium onion, chopped 🧅
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped 🫑
- 2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
- 1½ tsp salt 🧂
- 1 tsp ground cumin 🌿
- 1 tsp smoked paprika 🌶️
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 bay leaf 🍃
- 1 tsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth 🥣
- 0.5 cup tomato sauce
- 0.5 cup water (as needed) 💧
- For the Roasted Sweet Potatoes:
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed 🍠
- 1 tbsp olive oil 🛢️
- 0.5 tsp salt 🧂
- 0.25 tsp cinnamon (optional, for a fun twist) ✨
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- 1Sear the Beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high. Sear beef cubes until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside. 🔥
- 2Build the Base: In the same pot, sauté onions and bell pepper for 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, and bay leaf. Stir until fragrant. 🥄
- 3Simmer Low and Slow: Add tomato paste and stir for a minute. Return beef to the pot, then pour in beef broth and tomato sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add water if it gets too thick. 🍲
- 4Roast the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Toss sweet potato cubes with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon (if using). Spread on a baking sheet. Roast for 25–30 minutes until tender and golden, flipping once halfway. 🔪🔥
- 5Serve and Enjoy: Plate a generous scoop of carne guisada alongside roasted sweet potatoes. Garnish with fresh cilantro if you’d like a little color! 🌿🍽️
About the narrator
Don Luis · A character for three generations
Don Luis is the brand character and narrator for this catalog: a warm voice for Puerto Rican family recipes tested by the real creator behind the brand. The project carries three generations of flavor and writes each recipe step by step so any kid can follow it.
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