Zesty Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes and Dumplings

This is based on my family's recipe for Jamaican beef stew, it is rich, spicy, sweet, and hearty. The dumpling are simple, but meaty, and toothsome, you might want to make extra.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 pounds trimmed beef chuck roast or brisket, cut into 1 inch cubes

• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 1 large onion, chopped coarse

• 4 medium cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon hot crushed pepper flakes (add more or less to taste)

• 2 tablespoons Pick-a-Pepper sauce, or A1 steak sauce

• 3 tablespoons ketuchup

• 1 ½ cups diced tomatoes (or a 14 ounce can)

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 ½ teaspoon dried thyme

• 3 cups water

• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes

For the Dumplings

• 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour

• 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• 3/4 cup water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Place beef cubes in large bowl. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and baking soda; toss to coat, add beef to Dutch oven. Brown meat on all sides. Add onions and stir; sauté until almost softened. Reduce heat to medium and add garlic and pepper flakes; continue to sauté about 30 seconds longer. Stir in steak sauce and ketchup; cook 1 minute. Add tomatoes, scraping up any browned bits that may have stuck to kettle. Add water, bay leaves, and thyme; bring to simmer. Cover, reduce heat to low; simmer about 1 ½ hours.

2. Make dumpling dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add water in 3 additions, mixing with hand. Kneed dough until nice and smooth, about 1 minute. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rest for >30 minutes.

3. After the meat has been simmering for 1 ½ hours, test for tenderness. Add sweet potatoes.

4. With floured hands, tear off pieces of dumpling dough and roll into grape-size balls, drop into simmering pot. Let cook for 15 minute, or more (taste test for doneness).

5. The stew will thicken as it simmers, you can add additional water to adjust the consistency to your preference. Season stew with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!