Haitian Stew with Beef
(Bouyon)
This hearty stew is a traditional Haitian dish that's perfect for a cold day or when you're feeling under the weather. It's made with beef, plantains, dumplings, and malanga, but there are many variations of the recipe. Here's our version:
Ingredients:
1 pound cubed beef
2 limes, cut in half
1 large onion, chopped
4 scallions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, crushed and chopped
2 tablespoons salt
1/2 tablespoon black pepper
2 cloves
2 bay leaves
2 sprigs parsley
1 thyme sprig
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 celery sticks, sliced
1 malanga (taro) root, cut into chunks
2 plantains, peeled and sliced
1 yucca root, peeled and sliced
10 ounces spinach
1/2 cup water
For the dumplings:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon all-spice
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup water
Instructions:
Clean the beef with lime and hot water.
Marinate the beef with the scallions, garlic, salt, and pepper for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
While the beef is marinading, make the dumplings by mixing all of the ingredients in a bowl. Shape the dough into small balls and set aside.
In a large pot, brown the beef in the marinade over medium heat.
Add 1 quart of water, the cloves, bay leaves, parsley, and thyme to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 40 minutes.
Add the remaining 3 quarts of water to the pot and bring to a boil again.
Add the carrots, celery, malanga, plantains, yucca, and spinach to the pot. Cook for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
Add the dumplings to the pot and simmer for an additional 20 minutes, uncovered. Do not stir the dumplings while they are cooking, or they will fall apart.
Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips:
For a richer flavor, you can use beef broth instead of water in the stew.
If you don't have malanga, you can substitute another root vegetable, such as potatoes or sweet potatoes.
To make the dumplings ahead of time, simply shape them into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once they are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you're ready to cook the stew, simply add the dumplings frozen.
Serve the stew with your favorite sides, such as rice, bread, or salad.