Lihamojakka Beef Stew A Finnish American Recipe For St Urho

LIHAMOJAKKA, BEEF STEW - A FINNISH-AMERICAN RECIPE FOR ST. URHO'

Steps:

• Place meat and 6 cups water in large soup pot and bring to a fast simmer over medium-high heat. Maintain the simmer for about twenty minutes, skimming off all of the grey scum that rises to the surface (this will ensure that the broth of the completed stew is clear, a characteristic of good lihamojakka).
• When the scum has stopped forming, reduce heat to low. Stir in chopped onion and garlic, bay leaves, whole allspice, and peppercorns. Cover pot and allow to cook for 2 hours (Hint: You can tie the bay leaves, allspice, and peppercorns together in a cheesecloth packet for easy removal if you don't wish to serve them as part of the completed stew).
• After two hours, stir in the potatoes, carrots, celery, rutabaga, and salt.
• Replace lid and simmer on medium-low until vegetables are tender (about 30 minutes).
• Whisk together the flour and water and stir into the stew. Simmer for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until the broth has thickened.
• Serve with rye or artisan bread.
• And NO Grasshoppers please!

SPANISH BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Toss chuck roast pieces with flour, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl.
• Heat olive oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Toss 1/2 of the coated beef pieces in the hot oil and brown on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the pot and repeat with the remaining beef.
• Return all the browned beef back to the pot and reduce heat to medium. Be sure to scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pot or they will burn. Add diced tomatoes with juice, crushed tomatoes, onions, carrots, bell peppers, garlic, sweet and smoked paprika, oregano, and bay leaves. Stir to combine all ingredients, and bring to a boil.
• Cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Allow to simmer for 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally to make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pot.
• Stir in frozen green peas and olives. Cover and simmer for 15 more minutes.
• Remove bay leaves and serve warm.

ST. URHO'S DAY FISH STEW

Steps:

• In a large kettle, place potatoes, onion, salt, allspice and water. Cover and bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
• Cut fish into bite-size chunks and add to potato mixture. Simmer covered for another 15 to 20 minutes or just until fish flakes easily.
• Do not boil the soup.
• Stir in cream, milk, butter and dill; heat through and serve.

FINNISH STYLE MOJAKKA

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium high heat, brown the meat on all sides in the butter. Add 4 cups of the water and bring to a boil. Add the onion, salt and ground black pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer for one hour.
• Add the carrots, celery and potatoes and simmer for another 1 1/2 hours. Then combine the flour and remaining 1/2 cup water in a separate small bowl, forming a thin paste. Add this to the soup, stirring well; simmer for 15 more minutes.

SAILOR'S BEEF CASSEROLE (MERIMIESPIHVI) - FINNISH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Cut the meat into slices across the grain. In a hot skillet, brown them quickly on both sides using only half the butter or oil. Remove to a plate.
• Lower the heat and cook the onions slowly in the rest of the butter until they are soft and golden. If they become browned, they'll be a completely different taste than when they're golden.
• Peel and slice the potatoes as thinly as possible.
• In a 1 quart casserole dish, layer the potatoes with the browned meat and onions, sprinkling each meat layer with a litle of the salt, pepper and allspice. I started with a layer of potatoes, meat, onions, spice. Repeated two more times for a total of three layers, but make the last layer one of potatoes.
• Rinse the skillet with the beer and the broth. Pour into the casserole. Add the bay leaf.
• Cover tightly, but no need for foil under the lid. Bake for 2 hours, or until the meat is tender and potatoes are soft.
• Sprinkle with parsley and serve. Traditionally served with pickled beets.

GREEK-STYLE BEEF STEW (STIFADO)

Steps:

• Place beef in a bowl and season generously with pepper and kosher salt. Cover and transfer to the refrigerator until ready to use; up to 1 day is fine.
• Leaving the root ends in place, cut off the shallot tops. Remove and discard skins.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a heavy skillet over high heat. Add ½ of the beef and cook until nicely seared, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Remove to a plate and repeat to sear remaining beef.
• Turn off the heat and add 1 tablespoon oil to the empty skillet. Add shallots and let the skillet cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the heat back on to medium and toss shallots until browned, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove shallots to a plate.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet with onion, garlic, and a pinch of salt; cook and stir for about 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste and cook until toasted, about 2 minutes. Add red wine vinegar and white wine and bring to a boil while scraping the browned bits of food off the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Increase heat to medium-high and add sugar, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, oregano, bay leaves, and rosemary sprigs. Stir to combine and cook until reduced by about half, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add browned beef and shallots to the skillet and toss carefully until coated. Pour in 2 cups beef broth and bring to a simmer.
• Reduce heat to low or medium-low. Cover and cook at a gentle simmer for 1 hour, then uncover and cook for at least 1 more hour, stirring occasionally to move the beef and shallots around. Add more broth if needed during the cooking time and skim off some fat if preferred. The meat is done when a fork slides in easily, but the meat isn't falling apart on its own; it may take longer than 2 hours.
• Taste and adjust seasonings before serving.