Calulu de Carne Seca: Angolan Dried Beef Stew

Calulu de Carne Seca: Angolan Dried Beef Stew

Introduction:
Calulu de Carne Seca is a traditional Angolan stew, recognized for its rich and hearty flavors. This comforting dish is made with rehydrated dried beef and an assortment of vegetables, all cooked together in a delicious palm oil-based sauce. Perfectly complemented by a side of funje and beans, Calulu not only warms the soul but also provides a nourishing meal.

Ingredients

🥩 500g dried beef (carne seca), rehydrated
💧 1.5 liters water, plus additional as needed
🍆 1 medium eggplant, chopped
🍅 3 medium tomatoes, chopped
🧅 1 medium onion, chopped
🧄 5-6 garlic cloves, peeled
🌿 2 bay leaves
🟠 1/3 cup Regal palm oil
💚 5-7 pieces pre-cooked okra
🌿 250g pre-cooked and frozen greens
🌽 2-3 tablespoons cornmeal, mixed with 1/2 cup water
🧂 1 teaspoon salt
🍲 500-700g pre-cooked white beans

Instructions

1- Rehydrating the Beef:

• Place the dried beef in a large pot, cover with water, and let it soak for several hours or overnight.
• Change the water frequently to remove excess salt.

2- Cooking the Beef:

• Drain the soaked beef and refill the pot with fresh water.
• Bring to a boil and cook for about 40-45 minutes until the meat is tender.

3- Preparing the Stew:

• Add chopped eggplant to the pot with the beef and its broth.
• Incorporate the tomatoes, onion, garlic, and bay leaves into the mixture.
• Pour in the Regal palm oil to taste.
• Add more water if necessary and allow the mixture to simmer until the vegetables soften and the flavors meld.

4- Incorporating Vegetables:

• Add the pre-cooked okra and greens. Stir to combine.
• If using raw okra, add it first and let it cook for about 5 minutes before adding the greens.

5- Thickening the Stew:

• In a small bowl, mix cornmeal with water to form a slurry.
• Turn off the heat in the stew pot, pour in the cornmeal slurry while stirring continuously to thicken the stew to desired consistency.

6- Making the Side Dish (Optional):

• In another pot, sauté some chopped tomatoes and onions in a little oil.
• Add the pre-cooked white beans and mix well.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: ~340 kcal
Proteins: ~30g
Fats: ~23g
Carbohydrates: ~7g
Equipment:

• Large cooking pot (no specific brand)
• Metal lid (no specific brand)
• Gas stovetop (generic)
• Wooden spoon/spatula (generic)
• Plates for ingredients and serving (generic)
• Small bowl for cornmeal slurry (generic)

Cooking Tips

• Ensure proper meat rehydration to reduce saltiness.
• Pre-cooking and freezing greens helps maintain texture during cooking.
• Add the cornmeal slurry off the heat to prevent lumps.

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Calulu de Carne Seca: Angolan Dried Beef Stew