Moroccan Braised Beef

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2 1/2 lbs stewing beef, cut into cubes
• 2 cups onions, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne (more or less, depending how hot you like it)
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 1/2 cup dry sherry
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 1/2 cups golden raisins

Directions

1. 1

   Season the beef with salt and pepper and brown it in the oil in a skillet in batches. (Optional: after each batch you can deglaze the pan by adding some of the beef stock and stirring to loosen the browned bits. Keep this liquid to add to the stew later.).

2. 2

   Remove beef.

3. 3

   Add a little more oil and saute the onions (seaoning with salt and pepper) until nicely browned (about 10 minutes).

4. 4

   Add the garlic and next 5 ingredients and stir for 1 minute. Add the wine and sherry, turn the heat to high and reduce until thick, about 8 minutes.

5. 5

   Add the beef broth, the tomatoes, the beef cubes (with accumulated juices), the broth you used for deglazing and the raisins.

6. 6

   Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for about an hour and a quarter until the sauce is thick and the beef is tender.

7. 7

   Alternately, put the pot in a 275 to 300 degree oven.

8. 8

   Taste and adjust the seasoning.

9. 9

   The stew can be refrigerated and reheated before serving (this helps to bring out the flavours) or served right away.