unusual beef stew recipes

Elevate your beef stew game with this Cocoa-Espresso Beef Stew featuring tender beef, hearty butternut squash, and a unique hint of cocoa and espresso. Finished with pomegranate seeds for a pop of color and sweetness, this dish balances rich, earthy flavors with unexpected depth. Ideal for those chilly nights, this unusual beef stew recipes is a true flavor adventure that will surprise and satisfy.

Andrea

Cocoa-Espresso Beef Stew with Butternut Squash and Pomegranate

Warm up with a bowl of Cocoa-Espresso Beef Stew with Butternut Squash and Pomegranate! This unusual beef stew combines rich cocoa, bold espresso, and seasonal butternut squash, finished with pomegranate for a deliciously unique, hearty meal.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Servings: 6 portions

Course: Main Course

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1000g beef chuck, cut into 2.5cm cubes
• 30g unsweetened cocoa powder
• 15g instant espresso powder
• 30g all-purpose flour
• 10g smoked paprika
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 30ml olive oil
• 200g pancetta, diced
• 2 large onions (about 400g), diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 30ml balsamic vinegar
• 250ml dry red wine
• 750ml beef broth
• 2 bay leaves
• 500g butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 200g pearl onions, peeled
• 100g pomegranate seeds
• 30g fresh mint, chopped

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F).
2. In a large bowl, mix cocoa powder, espresso powder, flour, smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Add the beef cubes and toss to coat evenly.
3. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add pancetta and cook until crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
4. Working in batches, add the coated beef to the Dutch oven and sear on all sides until browned, about 5 minutes per batch. Remove and set aside.
5. Reduce heat to medium and add diced onions to the pot. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
6. Deglaze the pot with balsamic vinegar, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
7. Add red wine and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
8. Return the beef and pancetta to the pot. Add beef broth and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer.
9. Cover the Dutch oven and transfer to the preheated oven. Cook for 2 hours.
10. Remove from oven, add butternut squash and pearl onions. Stir gently and return to the oven for another 45 minutes to 1 hour, until beef and vegetables are tender.
11. Remove bay leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste.
12. Serve hot, garnished with pomegranate seeds and fresh mint.

Notes

Here are some creative variations for the Cocoa-Espresso Beef Stew with Butternut Squash and Pomegranate recipe:

1. Mexican Chocolate Beef Stew
   • Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1-2 teaspoons of chipotle powder to the stew for a smoky, spicy flavor.
   • Include black beans (400g) and corn (200g) for a heartier dish.
   • Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges before serving.
2. Moroccan Spiced Beef Stew
   • Replace cocoa and espresso with 1 tablespoon of ground cumin, 1 tablespoon of coriander, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
   • Add dried apricots (150g) and chickpeas (400g) to the stew for sweetness and texture.
   • Serve with couscous or flatbread for a complete meal.
3. Italian Red Wine Beef Stew
   • Omit cocoa and espresso; instead, use 250ml of robust red wine (like Chianti) for braising.
   • Add diced tomatoes (400g) and Italian herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and oregano.
   • Serve with crusty bread or over polenta.
4. Asian-Inspired Beef Stew
   • Use soy sauce (60ml) instead of salt and add ginger (20g) along with garlic for flavor.
   • Include sliced shiitake mushrooms (200g) and bok choy (200g) in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
   • Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.
5. Creamy Beef Stew
   • After cooking, stir in 200ml of heavy cream or coconut milk for a rich, creamy texture.
   • Add fresh herbs like parsley or dill for brightness.
   • Serve over mashed potatoes or rice.
6. Sweet Potato and Peanut Butter Stew
   • Substitute butternut squash with sweet potatoes (500g) and add 100g of creamy peanut butter at the end of cooking for a nutty flavor.
   • Garnish with crushed peanuts and fresh cilantro.
7. Spicy Thai Beef Stew
   • Replace beef broth with coconut milk (400ml) and add red curry paste (2 tablespoons).
   • Include bell peppers (200g), bamboo shoots (150g), and lime juice for brightness.
   • Serve with jasmine rice.
8. Herb-Infused Beef Stew
   • Use a bouquet garni of fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and parsley tied together with kitchen twine during cooking for infused flavors.
   • Remove the bouquet before serving.
9. Beer-Braised Beef Stew
   • Substitute red wine with a dark beer (like stout or porter) for depth of flavor.
   • Add carrots (200g) and parsnips (200g) for additional sweetness.
10. Pomegranate Molasses Beef Stew
    • Replace balsamic vinegar with pomegranate molasses (60ml) for a tangy sweetness.
    • Stir in fresh pomegranate seeds just before serving for added texture and color.

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.