Cocoa Spiced Beef Stew over Chipotle Sweet Potato Mash
Welcoming loved ones around a generous table starts with letting the fresh aromas of Cocoa Spiced Beef Stew over Chipotle Sweet Potato Mash fill the home, allowing the savory aromas and fresh ingredients to develop deep flavors, which turns kitchen preparation into a shared pleasure and a welcoming ritual. The low, steady temperature of the simmer tenderizes the main ingredients without breaking them down, while slowly reducing the liquids to intensify the overall savory depth. The resulting centerpiece is a stunning, warm invitation for a party of eight, blending quiet luxury with the nostalgic pleasure of sharing a beautifully prepared treat.
Cocoa and red pepper coat huge beef cubes in this exceptional stew. Cook it on the stove top or in the slow cooker depending on your plans for your Sunday. Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are SPICY. Reduce the spice in the mash by seeding the pepper. Leave in the seeds to allow the heat to spice the stew as it cooks all afternoon. It' s a fiesta in your mouth!
Cocoa Spiced Beef Stew over Chipotle Sweet Potato Mash
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons ground red pepper
- 1 (4 to 5 pound) beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 large orange, green or red bell peppers, seeded and diced, about 3 cups
- 1 medium red onion, peeled and diced, about 1 cup
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 8 ounces dark beer, 1 cup
- 1 chipotle chili pepper in adobo sauce (seeded if preferred), diced, about 1 tablespoon
- 3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes
- ¼ cup half and half
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ½ chipotle chili pepper in adobo sauce, seeded and diced, about 1 teaspoon
Instructions
- Place the flour, cocoa and red pepper into a re-sealable plastic bag. Season the beef with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium high heat. Place the beef cubes into the bag and shake to coat. Do this in batches depending on the size of your skillet. Pull the cubes from the bag.
- Shake off excess flour and place into the hot oil. Brown the beef cubes on all sides, about 3 to 4 minutes total. Transfer to a platter.
- Cook the peppers and onion in the oil until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Transfer the beef back into the pot. Pour in the tomatoes and beer and stir in the chipotle chili pepper. Bring the stew to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and cover the pot with a lid. Simmer the stew until the meat is beginning to shred, about 2 hours.
- Alternatively, you can brown all of ingredients in a skillet and transfer to a slow cooker. Set the cooker on low and cook for 6 hours. Transfer the stew to a pot and simmer to reduce and thicken the liquid.
- Sweet Potato Mash Cook the sweet potatoes in boiling water until soft, about 10 to 15 minutes. Drain through a colander and return to the pot. Pour in the cream and add the butter and chipotle chili pepper. Season with salt. Mash the potatoes and adjust seasoning to taste. Serve the mash with a hearty scoop of stew over top.
Chipotle peppers packed in adobo sauce come in a can and are found in the ethnic section of your grocery store or on-line. They are red jalapeño peppers, dried and smoked, then reconstituted in a spicy tomato sauce. These peppers are smoky, fiery and hot. I recommend opening the pepper and removing its seeds before chopping it and adding it to your recipe. After handling, rinse your board and wash your hands to make sure you don't transfer the heat from the peppers to yourself!
World's Best Cooking Tools The consistency of mashed potatoes depends on the tool you are using to mush them. A food processor produces a smooth, velvety result, while an electric mixer whips air into the potatoes. If you want the top of the line hand-held version, get yourself an old-fashioned potato masher. My favorite version is stainless steel. If you're on a budget, seek out a coil potato masher.
The Heart of the Table
The comforting, savory aroma of sizzling meats and savory fats evokes a sense of shared abundance, drawing everyone close to enjoy this cocoa spiced beef stew. Passing this generous, warm platter around the table turns our dinner into a lively symphony of stories.
The Art of the Host
- a fine-blade microplane zester with an ergonomic soft-grip handle
- a pair of professional-grade stainless steel locking kitchen tongs
- a flexible stainless steel slotted turner with a walnut handle
- a set of organic, hand-glazed stoneware soup bowls in a soft sage green
- a set of heavy-gauge, satin-finished stainless steel mixing bowls
- a large, hand-thrown ceramic serving platter with an organic rim
Neighborly Grace
- THE PRESENTATION: Arrange the hot soup in individual deep earthenware bowls placed on small wooden chargers to insulate the heat. The dark earthenware contrasts beautifully with the rich colors of the broth. Pair each bowl with a linen napkin bound with kitchen twine and a side plate for bread. A simple stoneware pitcher of fresh wildflowers in the center of the table adds a rustic touch that completes the cozy gathering.
- THE POUR: To stand up to the rich, savory proteins of the Cocoa Spiced Beef Stew over Chipotle Sweet Potato Mash, our sommelier recommends a bold, full-bodied Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon or a spicy Syrah from the Northern Rhône. These wines offer deep blackberry, black pepper, and toasted cedar tannins that slice cleanly through the savory fat, echoing the char and red wine reductions. Serve at a cellar temperature of 60°F in a large, wide-bowled Bordeaux glass. For a premium non-alcoholic alternative, pour a cold-brewed sparkling black tea infused with black currant juice, dried orange peel, and a touch of rosemary, served at 55°F in a wide-bowled wine glass. The robust tea tannins and dark berry notes mirror the structure of a fine red wine.
- THE VIBE: Set the mood by dimming the dining room lights to a warm, candlelit glow, letting the flickering flames from beeswax tapers cast soft shadows across the table. In the background, curate a playlist featuring the acoustic warmth of Norah Jones, the nostalgic piano melodies of Vince Guaraldi, and the soft jazz rhythms of Stan Getz, kept at a volume that encourages intimate conversations and gentle laughter. The physical atmosphere is enriched by the scent of cinnamon-honey steam and the natural woodsy aroma of the fireplace. With a party of eight snugly gathered around the table, the space feels like a sanctuary of comfort and welcoming grace.