So, I'll go first. I must however say that this is more of a general recipe that has room for some of your own experimentation. Depending of the size of the meat chunks the cooking time is about 5-7 hours if you want it perfect, but real work is only about 30 minutes aside from a little stirring here and there.
What you will need (3-4 portions):500g meat in chunks (I usually use swine but beef works just as well and will give the meal a different taste).
1-2 Big onions (if you take the normal sized ones use at least 2-3)
1-2 big carrots
1 big can of mushrooms (whole), fresh ones work as well but slice them into big chunks as they will shrink a lot.
2 cans of hacked tomatoes.
1-2 cans of red beans
OR 2-3 big potatoes. (Guess you can also mix and have both beans and potatoes if you like.)
1-2 Red peppers.
1-2 teaspoons of tomato puree
Oil for frying
Spice:
Chili
Ground peppers
Garlic
Thyme
Salt and pepper
What you need to do: 1.
Put some oil in a pan and start frying the meat, don't burn it, just give it a quick roundabout in the pan it should preferably still be a bit pink inside.
2.
Put some oil in a casserole and put it on middle heat. Cut the onions into big slices, and throw them in the oil, you just want them to turn glassy not brown.
3.
When the onions are done, add the tomatoes and and beans.
4.
Cut the carrots into thick slices and the peppers into chunks. If you are using fresh mushrooms and/or potatoes cut them into chunks (don't make them to small). Add everything to the stew, at this point the meat should be fine and you can add it as well. Add about 150 cl water.
5.
Stir in the tomato puree and add spices. There is no real answer to how much you'll need, just experiment a bit depending on how hot you want to make the stew. I usually add a good portion of ground peppers and I am usually also generous on the chili. You can add a good dash of garlic and thyme, go slow here, you can always add more if you need it. Lastly add salt and pepper to your liking and stir good.
6.
Put a lock on the casserole and heat the whole thing so that it starts boiling then use low heat and keep it simmering for about 5 hours (you could theoretically serve it when everything is cooked but you want to keep it on the stove until the meat gets tender, and I assure you the wait will pay off!).
7.
Stir every now and then. Make sure that not all the water evaporates during the cooking process or the stew will burn, this is something you'll need to keep an eye on especially when using potatoes as they absorb a good portion of liquid. Just add a bit of water now and then if it gets too "dry".
This is somewhat how your stew should look when it is done
Enjoy!
