Peanut Mole Stew with Peanut Pico Roasts

Ingredients

• 1 chuck shoulder pot roast (about 3 lbs.), cut into 1 to 1-1/2 inch pieces
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper
• 4 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 6 roma tomatoes, chopped
• 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup chopped Mexican chocolate
• 2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. ground red pepper
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/2 cup dark or golden raisins

Peanut Pico

• 1 cup roasted salted peanuts, chopped
• 1 large tomato, seeded, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 medium onion, chopped
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded, minced
• juice from 1/2 lime

Instructions

Combine flour, salt and pepper.  Coat beef with flour mixture.

Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in stockpot over medium heat until hot.  Brown one-third of beef; remove from stockpot.  Repeat twice with 2 Tbsp. oil and remaining beef.  Remove beef from stockpot.

Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in stockpot.  Add onions and garlic; cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes.  Return beef to stockpot.  Add beef broth, tomatoes, peanut butter, chocolate, cumin, ground red pepper, cinnamon and cloves; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover tightly and simmer 1-3/4 to 2-1/4 hours or until beef is fork-tender.  Stir in raisins during last 30 minutes of cooking time.

Meanwhile, combine Peanut Pico ingredients in medium bowl.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Ladle stew into bowls.  Top with Peanut Pico.

Suggestions

Three pounds beef for stew, cut into 1 to 1-1/2 inch pieces, may be substituted for beef chuck shoulder pot roast.

If Mexican chocolate is not available, combine 1/4 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate and 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon.

Nutritional Information

Nutrition information per serving: 659 calories; 38 g fat (8 g saturated fat; 20 g monounsaturated fat); 90 mg cholesterol; 1451 mg sodium; 37 g carbohydrate; 6.2 g fiber; 47 g protein; 11.9 mg niacin; 0.7 mg vitamin B6; 4.0 mcg vitamin B12; 6.5 mg iron; 44.9 mcg selenium; 9.7 mg zinc.