Spicy Beef, Yam and Prune Stew

We had guests for dinner, and everyone LOVED this! I will certainly make it again. It is fragrant and delicious and EASY to make. It's perfect for a fall or winter meal.

• Carol K

• Spokane, WA

• 11/27/2021

Oh my: the whole house smelled fantastic!! I don't know anything about Colombian cooking, but beef/tomato/cinnamon/bay leaf reminded me pleasantly of Greek cooking. I'm doing a Paleo diet (no more kugel), and was looking for some comfort food. This fits the bill perfectly. I don't think I changed anything - just added about a 1/2 cup of boiling water when I added the yams because it had cooked down. I used chuck on the bone and trimmed it myself - it was US Choice, and very delicious! Will definitely make it again - good for company. (My friends and I like one pot dinners because we can easily eat from a bowl while lounging on the couch shmoozing.)

• kugelmaker

• - a Long Islander in Oregon

• 12/25/2015

I love this stew. I didn't find it too sweet at all. In fact, I added more prunes (12) when I made it. It is possible that the other reviewers were too shy with the salt and pepper... I did have to add a little bit of water in the second round of simmering because there wasn't enough liquid for the potatoes to simmer in. I did add a little crushed red pepper and it added a nice spicy aspect to the sauce.

• anabean

• Northern California

• 7/8/2014

I thought this was delicious just as written. I didn't change a thing, and didn't think it needed any extra spice. Yum!

• Anonymous

• 4/14/2013

This should be called 'spiced stew' not 'spicy' as others mentioned, because the cloves and cinnamon are lovely but not 'spicy' My boyfriend and I LOVED it. I modified the recipe a bit: nearly doubled the garlic and added plenty of red wine (cabernet) and I chopped everything much smaller than suggested (ie: didn't throw the prunes in whole - I quartered them - same with the yams) I will definitely make this again!!

• esquirol1

• New York

• 1/7/2013

Made this per the recipe with the addition of a little crushed pepper flakes and it was great.

• p_frazier

• 12/3/2012

I added extra prunes for texture, chile flakes for heat, and red wine for depth. Fantastic recipe.

• Anonymous

• Tampa

• 4/10/2012

I was looking for a recipe for beef & sweet potatoes, and this one did the trick! Great over rice, nice flavour, although I think "spicy" is the wrong term- "spiced" would be more accurate.

• Neener81

• Halifax, NS

• 5/16/2011

I wavered between 2 and 3 stars. I added cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, a half-cup of red wine, a cup of chicken broth, and a quarter-cup of apple cider vinegar, and served it with rice. I didn't find it too sweet, as some of the reviews suggested. It was nice, but missing something.

• kaf8e

• Seattle, WA

• 5/9/2011

Delicious! An unexpected combination of ingredients. They work! Served this with orzo.

• mopsyw

• Seattle

• 12/8/2010

远,太甜了,我的口味。一个几乎可以use it for ice cream topping! I much prefer the similar "Veal and Tomato Ragoût with Potatoes, Cinnamon, and Cream" from February 2001. I use Beef instead of Veal. It's much more balanced recipe.

• wwwiiiggggggiiinnnss

• Melbourne, Australia

• 11/30/2010

Delicious and unusual! Very pretty

• mopsyw

• Seattle

• 11/21/2010

This had good flavor and will definetly make it again.

• lena1

• 10/4/2009

This had good flavor. Will defient;y make it again.

• lena1

• 10/4/2009

Yummm... This is a cold weather favourite for me. It's not only simple and flavourful but looks beautiful with the bright orange yams. When I can find them I use bite size prunes to avoid them being too big or falling apart when halved. Usually serve a bright green vegetable on the side like broccoli for balance. This freezes well too.

• jlw13

• Toronto, Canada

• 1/15/2009