Matura Beef Pilau

Cooking Secrets of the C.I.A., p. 84

1 ½ pounds stewing beef

1 ½ teaspoons salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 bay leaf

1 sprig fresh thyme

2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leafed parsley

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons sugar

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 small onions, cut into ¼-inch dice

1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger

1 carrot, peeled and cut into ¼-inch dice

1 stalk celery, cut into ¼-inch dice

1 green bell pepper, seeded, deribbed, and cut into ¼-inch dice

1 red bell pepper, seeded, deribbed, and cut into ¼-inch dice

8 ounces plum (Roma) tomatoes (3/4 cup), peeled, seeded, and cut into ¼-inch dice

4 cups water

1 small Jalapeno chili

1 can (16 ounces) red kidney beans, drained

2 cups long-grain white rice

Place the beef in a bowl and season with ½ teaspoon of the salt, the ground pepper, the bay leaf, thyme, and parsley. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Use a bigger bowl than I did, though.

Heat the oil in a large, heavy heatproof casserole or Dutch oven over high heat and add the sugar. Saute until the sugar is browned. Add the meat, cover, lower heat to medium, and cook for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, onions, and ginger and saute for 5 more minutes. Add the carrot, celery, peppers, and tomatoes and cook 5 more minutes. 

Post-chopping catharsis. 

Add the water to the pot and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook until the meat is tender, about 45 minutes.

When the beef is tender, add the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, the Jalapeno chili, and kidney beans. Bring to a boil and stir in the rice. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. 

Wait til you fluff the rice. It gets even thicker.

Remove the Jalapeno chili before serving.

See?

My Rating: 4/5 "Substantial and robust and full of nutrients. I could have handled more pow! to the flavor - I wish more of the jalapeno taste got cooked into the other ingredients. But this is a damn good one-dish dinner with a lot going for it regardless."