Chili Beef Stew

4 servings

Serve this Mexican-style beef stew over fluffy rice some nippy evening. Accompany it with sautéed zucchini and a leafy green salad.

1 1/2 pounds boneless beef chuck, fat trimmed, cut into 1-inch cubes
Salt, pepper and flour
1 1/2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 (16 ounce) can tomatoes
1 (4 ounce) can green chiles, seeded, chopped
1 (16 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained
3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Fluffy rice
1 avocado, sliced, for garnish

Sprinkle beef cubes with salt and pepper; coat lightly with flour, shaking off excess. Brown beef cubes, about half at a time, well on all sides in heated butter in a large heavy frying pan or Dutch oven, removing and reserving them as they brown. When all beef is browned cook onion in same pan, stirring frequently, until soft and lightly browned.

Return beef to pan; mix in garlic, salt, cumin and chili powder. Add tomatoes, coarsely chopped, and their liquid, and green chiles. Bring to boiling. Cover, reduce heat and simmer until beef is tender, 1 1/2 hours. Skim and discard fat.

Mix in beans. Continue cooking, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly. 20 minutes.

Sprinkle with cheese. Cook for a few minutes longer to melt it. Serve over rice, garnishing each portion with avocado slices.

Sprinkle extra cheddar cheese on top for garnish.