Bistec Ranchero

Experience a true taste of Mexico with Bistec Ranchero. This dish features tender beef strips enveloped in a rich and slightly spicy ranchera sauce. It’s a family-favorite comfort food that brings warmth and robust flavor to any meal setting.

Ingredients

🥩 800 g beef steak, pounded and cut into strips
🧂 ½ tsp salt
🌶 ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
🧄 2 cloves garlic, minced
🧅 ½ onion, finely diced
🍅 250 g green tomatillos, finely diced
🧂 Cooking oil for frying
🌿 ⅛ tsp cumin seeds
🌿 ¼ tsp dried oregano
🌿 1 whole clove
🍅 6 jitomates, quartered (approximately 650 g)
🌶 2 chiles guajillo, cleaned, deseeded, cut into pieces
🌶 2 chiles serrano, cut in half
🌶 5 chiles de árbol
🧅 ⅓ onion, sliced into rings
🧄 2 large garlic cloves, peeled
💧 ½ cup water for simmering sauce
💧 ½ cup water for blending sauce
🧂 Salt or powdered chicken bouillon
💧 ⅛ to ¼ cup water for stew consistency

Instructions

1- Prepare the Beef:

• Using a meat tenderizer, pound the beef steaks flat.
• Cut the pounded beef into strips and season with salt and pepper.
• Mix thoroughly and let rest for at least 30 minutes to tenderize.

2- Prepare the Dry Spices:

• Grind cumin seeds, oregano, and clove in a mortar and pestle until finely ground. Set aside.

3- Prepare the Ranchera Sauce:

• In a non-stick pan, heat cooking oil over medium heat. Fry the onion slices, whole garlic cloves, and serrano chiles until the onion becomes translucent.
• Add guajillo and de árbol chiles, stirring constantly for about 1-2 minutes.
• Stir in quartered tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes. Add ½ cup water, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes until softened.
• Allow cooling slightly, then blend the mixture with an additional ½ cup water until smooth.
• Strain the sauce through a fine mesh strainer to remove solids.

4- Cook the Beef Stew:

• In a clay pot, heat oil over high heat and fry the beef strips.
• Add minced garlic, stirring frequently until the beef is seared.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low; cover and let cook for 20-25 minutes.
• Add diced onion and tomatillos, frying until softened approximately 15 minutes.
• Stir in the ground spices, cooking for another minute.
• Pour in the prepared ranchera sauce and adjust seasonings with salt or bouillon.
• Adjust consistency with additional water if needed; then simmer covered for 25-30 minutes over medium-low heat.

Prep Time: Active: 70 minutes, Rest: 40-45 minutes
Total Time: Approx. 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours
Servings: 5 servings
Equipment: Meat tenderizer, mortar and pestle, non-stick frying pan, clay pot, blender with glass pitcher, fine mesh strainer

Cooking Tips:

• Ensure beef is well-pounded for optimal tenderness.
• Frying ingredients before blending enhances sauce flavor.
• Strain the sauce for a smoother, professional-quality texture.

#bistecranchero #mexicancuisine #familydinner #comfortfood

YouTube channel - Jauja Cocina Mexicana

#jaujacocinamexicana

Bistec Ranchero