Beef And Tomato And Pepper Sauce-Guatemala(Carne En Jocon)
A hearty Guatemalan beef stew featuring tender meat in a rich tomato and pepper sauce, served over flavorful rice, perfect for satisfying comfort food lovers.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup peanut oil ⓘ
- 2 red or green bell peppers seeded and diced ⓘ
- 10 oz. can of Mexican green tomatoes ⓘ
- 2 cloves ⓘ
- 1/2 cup beef stock ⓘ
- 1 medium onion finely chopped ⓘ
- 1 hot red or green pepper seeded and diced ⓘ
- 4 medium tomatoes peeled and coarsely chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. oregano ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. corn meal or 2 stale tortillas or 2 Tbsp. masa harina ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic minced ⓘ
- 3 lb. lean boneless beef chuck cut into 1 inch cubes ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- salt and fresh ground pepper ⓘ
- Arroz Guatemalteco (rice, Guatemalan Style) ⓘ
Instructions
- Heat the peanut oil in a heavy saucepan or casserole and sauté the chopped onion, minced garlic, and diced peppers until the onion is soft.
- Add the cubed beef and all remaining ingredients except the tortillas.
- Ensure the liquid barely covers the meat; add more stock if necessary.
- Cover and simmer gently until the beef is tender, about 2 hours.
- If using tortillas, soak them in cold water, squeeze out excess moisture, and crumble into breadcrumbs.
- Add the crumbled tortillas to the casserole and simmer uncovered until the sauce thickens.
- If using masa harina or cornmeal, mix it with a little cold water and stir into the stew, cooking until the sauce thickens, about a few minutes longer for cornmeal.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider marinating the beef in a mix of spices overnight. If green tomatoes are unavailable, you can substitute with diced fresh tomatoes or canned diced tomatoes. For a thicker sauce, use masa harina or cornmeal, but remember to mix it with cold water before adding to prevent clumping. This dish pairs beautifully with Curried Pineapple Rice.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Beef And Tomato And Pepper Sauce over a bed of Arroz Guatemalteco for a traditional accompaniment. Garnish with fresh cilantro or avocado slices for added freshness. This dish also pairs well with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce or a side of steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of beef stock or water to maintain moisture. You can also reheat in the microwave, covered, in short intervals to avoid overcooking.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Beef And Tomato And Pepper Sauce-Guatemala(Carne En Jocon) contains roughly 2178 calories, with 63g protein, 423g carbohydrates, and 34g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (221% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (140% of the Daily Value), and protein (126% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin D. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Yes, while lean boneless beef chuck is recommended for its tenderness, you can also use brisket or round cuts. Just ensure to adjust the cooking time as tougher cuts may require longer simmering for optimal tenderness.
Is this dish spicy?
The heat level can vary depending on the type of hot pepper you use. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can reduce the amount of hot pepper or remove the seeds. Adjusting the number of bell peppers can also help balance the spice level.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Prepare it ahead of time, let it cool completely, and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before serving to enjoy the full flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).