Chocolate goulash recipe: beef goulash with a hint of chocolate

Name: Chocolate goulash recipe: beef goulash with a hint of chocolate
Cook time: 2 h 30 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Eastern European
Ingredients: 2kg chuck steak, cut into very large chunks, about 10cm square; 2 tbsp olive oil; 3 large carrots (1 finely diced, 2 cut into thirds); 1 stalk celery, finely diced; 1 large brown onion, thickly sliced; 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped; 2 red capsicums, cut into large chunks; ¼ cup sweet paprika; 2 tbsp plain flour; 1 tsp Vegemite (optional); 1 tbsp dark soy sauce; 1 can (400g) whole peeled tomatoes; 1 litre beef stock; 2 bay leaves; 6 sprigs thyme; 75g dark chocolate; 500g potatoes, peeled and quartered; ¼ cup finely shredded parsley

Adam Liaw

May 19, 2017

Time:2 hours +Serves:8

Chocolate is universally loved, but the way it's used as an ingredient varies greatly from country to country. Just a hint of chocolate in this goulash gives it a rich, deep flavour with equal hints of bitterness and sweetness. Sure you could get your chocolate fix with a homemade bikkie or just a block of the good stuff, but if you're looking for a way to say thanks this Mother's Day, here's an out-of-the-ordinary way to do it.

Ingredients

2kg chuck steak, cut into very large chunks, about 10cm square
2 tbsp olive oil
3 large carrots (1 finely diced, 2 cut into thirds)
1 stalk celery, finely diced
1 large brown onion, thickly sliced
4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
2 red capsicums, cut into large chunks
¼ cup sweet paprika
2 tbsp plain flour
1 tsp Vegemite (optional)
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
1 can (400g) whole peeled tomatoes
1 litre beef stock
2 bay leaves
6 sprigs thyme
75g dark chocolate
500g potatoes, peeled and quartered
¼ cup finely shredded parsley

Method

Season the beef well with salt and pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a heavy casserole dish over high heat and sear the meat until very well browned on all sides then set aside.
Add the diced carrot, celery, onion, garlic and capsicum, reduce the heat to medium and fry for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the paprika, flour and Vegemite (if using) and fry for a further 2-3 minutes.
Add the soy sauce, tomatoes, stock and herbs and return the beef to the pot. Cover and simmer for about 2½ hours, stirring occasionally until the beef is tender.
Place the chocolate in a small saucepan with half a cup of the liquid from the goulash. Stir frequently over medium heat until the chocolate is melted and combined with the liquid.
Stir the chocolate sauce through the goulash, and then add the remaining chunky carrots and quartered potatoes. Simmer uncovered for 30-45 minutes until the carrot and potatoes are soft and the goulash is thick and dark. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Adam's tip: Cutting meat into "bitesized pieces" is often a mistake. Meat will shrink during cooking so it can end up as firm nuggets or sloppy mush. It's much better to leave meat in bigger chunks for long braises. They'll have a better texture while still being soft enough to tear apart.