Mexican Carne Guisada with Flour Tortillas

Carne Guisada

Ingredients:

2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 large onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup beef broth

1 cup water

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

½ teaspoon paprika

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)

1 bay leaf

¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

Brown the Meat:

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef stew meat and brown on all sides. Remove the meat from the pot and set aside.

Cook the Vegetables:

In the same pot, add the chopped onion and green bell pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.

Make the Gravy:

Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir well to combine. Cook for about 1 minute, then gradually add the beef broth and water, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.

Simmer the Stew:

Add the diced tomatoes (with their juice), browned beef, ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, black pepper, salt, and bay leaf to the pot. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the meat is tender and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally and adjust seasoning as needed.

Finish and Serve:

Remove the bay leaf and discard. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired. Serve hot with homemade flour tortillas.