Costa Rican Olla de Carne Recipe
Olla de carne is a hearty Costa Rican stew made with beef ribs, squash, corn, sweet potato, chayote, and a variety of herbs and spices. It is typically served with white rice and flour tortillas on the side.
Ingredients
- Beef (bone-in cuts like shank or ribs work best)
- 1 onion, chopped - 2 lb
- Garlic (minced) - 3 cloves
- Carrots (sliced) - 2
- Potatoes (peeled and diced) - 2
- Yam or sweet potato (peeled and diced) - 1
- Plantains (peeled and cut into chunks) - 2
- Corn (cut into thirds) - 2 ears
- 1 chayote squash, peeled and diced - 1
- Celery stalk (chopped) - 1
- Bell pepper (chopped) - 1
- Tomatoes (chopped) - 2
- Fresh cilantro - 1 bunch
- Cumin - 1 tsp
- Oregano - 1 tsp
- Salt and pepper - to taste
Instructions
- Heat some oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until cooked.
- Add the beef to the pot and brown it on all sides. Season with cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Don’t skip this initial step; it's crucial for building flavor in the stew.
- Once the beef is browned, add enough water to cover it by two inches. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours or until the meat becomes tender.
- After the meat has simmered for a while, add in the carrots, potatoes, yam, plantains, corn, chayote squash, celery, and bell pepper. Continue to cook until the vegetables are tender, this should take about 30-45 minutes.
- Finally add the tomatoes and fresh cilantro (best in a bundle). Simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Remove the cilantro bundle.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro leaves. It's customary to serve Olla de Carne with a side of white rice and tortillas.
Nutrition
Calories: 351kcalCarbohydrates: 75gProtein: 11gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 103mgFiber: 10gSugar: 24g
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