Jamaican Style Jerk Beef Stew

Adapted from: closetcooking.com/2016/10/jamaican-style-jerk-beef-stew.html

Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Servings: 6

1 tablespoon oil

1 pound stewing beef such as chuck, round, brisket, cut into 2 inch pieces

1 onion, sliced

2 potatoes, peed and cubed

2 carrots, peeled and sliced

2 cloves garlic

1 tablespoon ginger, grated

1 chili pepper

2 cups beef broth

1/2 orange, juice and zest

1 lime, juice and zest (or 2 tablespoons cider vinegar)

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon thyme, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried thyme)

1 tablespoon allspice

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup peas

green onions to taste, sliced

Heat the oil in a large sauce pan over medium-high heat, add the beef and brown on all sides before setting aside. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 3-5 minutes, before adding the garlic, ginger and pepper(s) and cooking until fragrant, about a minute. Add the beef broth and deglaze the pan by scraping up the brown bits on the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon as the broth sizzles in the hot pan. Add the beef, orange juice, lime juice, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, thyme, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg and either reduce and simmer cover until the beef is tender, about 2-3 hours, OR transfer to a preheated 350F/180C oven and roast, covered, until the beef is tender, about 2-3 hours, OR transfer to a slow cooker and cook on low of 6-10 hour or high for 3-5 hours. Season with salt and pepper to taste add the peas and enjoy garnished with green onions!

Option: Add a splash (or two) of dark rum. Tip: Serve with rice cooked in coconut milk instead of water! Add beans to the rice!

Different cultures can be difficult to minister to because we don’t know how to bridge the differences that divide us. This is not only true for those in ministry: missionaries, Bible teachers, pastors and disciplers. It is true for those in the community too. How do locals welcome those in ministry to their community? How are they to reach out? Irrespective of our cultures we all need to eat. We need food to sustain our physical well-being. Food can bridge the differences and offer an arena for communication, friendships and fellowship to begin. Consider a fellowship event focused on cultural and traditional food. Food is a good way to start a conversation. Think of the questions you can ask to generate a discussion. What is the significance of the dish to your culture? Is it something your family served often? What does it remind you of? Who does it remind you of?

What questions can you add to the list? Keep adding?

Enjoy the hospitality you receive, and the hospitality you give.

#Jamaica #stew #beef