Estate Dinners

Cocoa Spiced Beef Stew over Chipotle Sweet Potato Mash

Name: Cocoa Spiced Beef Stew over Chipotle Sweet Potato Mash
Total time: 35 min
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

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The Strategy:

This rich, slow-simmered beef stew gets a luxurious twist with a coating of cocoa powder and ground red pepper before browning. Served over a smoky, chipotle-infused sweet potato mash, the tender beef and vibrant bell peppers offer an exciting balance of deep savory cocoa and sweet heat. It's a sophisticated, comforting dinner that is perfect for a cozy night in.

Serves: 6 | Total Time: 35 minutes till it's ready

Ingredients

Coating and Beef

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

Stew Vegetables and Liquids

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

Sweet Potato Mash

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

Make and brown beef

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.

Simmer stew

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.

The full recipe lives in the Vault

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Sunday Know How

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 rich, complex aroma of cocoa-spiced beef and sweet potatoes creates an atmosphere of culinary curiosity and comfort. This dish sits proudly in individual shallow bowls, offering everyone a personal comfort experience that warms from the inside out and inspires wonderful table conversation.

An appetizing, fresh serving of cooked Cocoa Spiced Beef Stew over Chipotle Sweet Potato Mash displayed beautifully on a styled dining table.

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: Spoon a generous mound of the vibrant orange chipotle sweet potato mash into the center of a wide, shallow bowl, then ladle the dark, rich beef stew right over the top. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro leaves and a light drizzle of Mexican crema.
THE POUR: Pair this spiced stew with a bold, fruit-forward Zinfandel served at 62°F in a wide-bowled glass to complement the chocolate and chipotle notes. For a non-alcoholic alternative, serve a chilled sparkling water infused with fresh pomegranate seeds and a squeeze of lime.
THE VIBE: Evening Dining Room. The warm, cozy room and rich, smoky aromas set a sophisticated yet relaxed mood for a slow-paced dinner.

Chef’s Recommendations

Peppers Before the Stew: Spicy Pepper Chutney on Pear and Gruyere Toasts
Cocoa in the Pot and the Cake: Devil’s Food Chocolate Cake with Black Walnut
The Cold, Sharp Plate: Street Corn Caesar Salad
The Glass It Never Had: The Prickled Pink Cocktail

The Estate Table

Build tonight’s menu around this dish.

✦ Set the Table

Cocoa Spiced Beef Stew over Chipotle Sweet Potato Mash

Cocoa Spiced Beef Stew over Chipotle Sweet Potato Mash

The full recipe lives in the Vault

The Heart of the Table

The Art of the Host

Neighborly Grace

✨ The Estate Swaps