Leftover steak or roast makes for a tasty stew

By EdieK

April 14, 2010
By Liz Monteiro, Record staff

Today’s recipe is a great way to use leftover steak. I get tired of stir fries and often wonder what to do with steak that doesn’t get eaten when it comes off the grill.

With the steak that has been already cooked, making a 30-minute stovetop stew is doable. I also used smoked bacon to add flavour. The smoked bacon is salted, cured and smoked. It has quite a bit of fat and the bacon should be removed before serving.

I bought the smoked bacon at the Torrense store at the corner of Stirling and Mill streets in Kitchener but you can also purchase it at Fiedler’s at 197 King St. E. in downtown Kitchener.

I have also made this recipe using sirloin tip roast if you have more time to simmer the meat on the stovetop. Cut the meat into small chunks and pan fry first before adding it to tomato-based mixture.

I also bought the white potatoes, which are already peeled and perfectly rounded at Torrense. But you can use white potatoes that you peel yourself.

I added peas but you can corn or carrots.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• Half a large onion, finely chopped
• 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 cup (250 ml) chopped tomatoes
• Half a cup (125 ml) white wine
• 1 bay leaf
• Half a teaspoon (2 ml) paprika
• 1 and half cup (375 ml) frozen peas
• 1 cup (250 ml) water
• 15 small round white potatoes
• 1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter, second amount
• 2 leftover barbecued steaks, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 ounces of smoked bacon, salt and cured bacon fat

Preparation

Step 1

1. In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the white potatoes and sweet potatoes together, about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2. In a large frying pan, heat the (first amount) of butter and olive oil. Saute the onion until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and fry for about two minutes. Add the tomatoes to the pan and fry for about five minutes.

3. Meanwhile in another frying pan, heat the (second amount) butter and add the smoked bacon and fry. Add the chopped steak and heat. Add salt and pepper to taste.

4. To the tomato mixture, pour in the white wine and turn up the heat to boil, evaporating the alcohol. Next, add the bay leaf, paprika, peas and water. Stir and add smoked bacon and steak.

5. To the tomato mixture, add the potatoes. Stir and simmer for about 10 minutes.

Before serving, remove the bay leaf and the smoked bacon. Serve with crusty bread.