Karni Stoba: Caribbean Beef Stew

My first experience with Karni Stoba was during a recent cruise to the ABC islands last year. While I was island hopping trying to find the Southern Caribbean's best Keshi Yena, my wife decided to try something different and ordered a bowl of Caribbean Karni Stoba. This Caribbean beef stew ended up being one of our favorite dishes of the entire trip.

What is Karni Stoba?

Karni Stoba is a beef stew famous in the islands of the Dutch Antilles, but especially popular on the Dutch island of Curacao. The Caribbean stew consists of tender beef in a savory broth, with root vegetables, and a hint of spice from the addition of Scotch Bonnet peppers.

Looking for more of the best soup, chowder, and stew recipes? Check out some of our favorites:

• Best Dutch Oven Taco Soup
• Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup with Smoked Beef
• Fire Roasted Tomato Soup
• Smoked Salmon Chowder
• Texas Red Chili with Smoked Chuck Roast

Making Karni Stoba

This easy beef stew recipe is made with easy to find ingredients, and requires very little prep. To make this one pot beef stew you will need soy sauce, garlic, nutmeg, cumin, beef broth, tomato paste, salt and pepper.

You will also need tomato, bell pepper, onion, Scotch bonnet peppers and your choice of root vegetables and potatoes. If you can't find Scotch bonnet peppers, then you can substitute habanero peppers. The peppers add a nice warmth to the Karni Stoba stew, but don't worry it is not overly spicy. Even our kids loved it.

Prepare the marinade for the beef by combining the soy sauce, minced garlic, salt, pepper, nutmeg, cumin, and ¼ cup of beef broth in a bowl and mix to combine.

What is the best cut of beef for stew?

When it comes to the best cut of beef for stew, cuts taken from the shoulder or chuck are often the best for stew. They contain the perfect amount of fat and connective tissue for slow simmering to tender perfection. Bottom round, brisket, and short ribs also work well for stew.

Cube your stew meat into roughly 1-inch cubes. Remove any large pieces of fat of connective tissue.

Add the stew meat to the bowl with the beef marinade. Cover and let sit while you prepare the rest of the Karni Stoba. For a stronger flavor you can marinade overnight in the refrigerator.

Dice the onion and tomato and cube the carrots, bell pepper and potatoes. We recommend using red, yellow, or Yukon gold potatoes for stew, as they have less starch and hold up better to the prolonged cooking. Starchy potatoes, like Russet tend to get mushy with prolonged cooking.

Cooking the Southern Caribbean Beef Stew

Heat a Dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot over medium heat and add a couple tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Remove the marinated beef with a slotted spoon, leaving behind as much liquid as possible, and brown the beef. Reserve the marinade.

Once the stew meat is evenly browned, add the onions and bell peppers and cook for about 1-2 minutes.

Next, add in the remaining beef broth, tomato paste, reserved marinade, and your remaining veggies and potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.

Partially cover the pot or Dutch oven and simmer the Karni Stoba for 2-3 hours, until the beef is tender, and the sauce has thickened.

Serving the Karni Stoba

Serve the Antillean Karni Stoba warm. Remove the Scotch bonnet peppers before serving. If desired top with a little fresh arugula or serve with some sliced papaya.

For a spicier version of the Caribbean beef stew, you can finely dice the Scotch bonnet peppers and return to the stew.

For more great Island cuisine be sure to check out some of our favorite Caribbean inspired recipes:

• Mahi Mahi Tacos with Chipotle Crema and Mango Salsa
• Grilled Jamaican Jerk Chicken
• Kalua Pork: Hawaiian Pulled Pork
• Jamaican Style Cast Iron Oxtail Stew
• Keshi Yena: Aruban Meat Stuffed Cheese
• Roasted Chicken and Shrimp Curry Stuffed Coconuts
• Smoked Pernil- Puerto Rican Roast Pork Shoulder
• Puerto Rican Arroz Con Gandules: Rice with Pigeon Peas

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