Colombian FoodColombian Flank Pot Roast in Coffee-Cacao Sauce with Arracacha Mash and Warm Cabbage Salad
An original Colombian-inspired dish featuring slowly braised flank pot roast until tender, finished in a deep coffee-cacao hogao sauce, served with silky arracacha mash and a warm cabbage salad with lime and cilantro.
Ingredients
- 900 g beef flank pot roast (en a sola piece)
- 120 g scallions (finely chopped, divided)
- 150 g white onion (finely chopped)
- 300 g ripe tomato (chopped)
- 12 g garlic (chopped)
- 120 g red bell pepper (diced small)
- 240 ml strong black coffee (freshly hecho)
- 500 ml beef broth (unsalted or low sodium)
- 25 g grated panela (or to taste)
- 8 g unsweetened cocoa powder (for profundidad of sabor)
- 2 g ground cumin
- 2 g annatto or paprika
- 1 unit bay leaf
- 8 g salt (divided or to taste)
- 2 g black pepper (divided)
- 30 ml vegetable oil (divided)
- 700 g arracacha root (pelada and en trozos)
- 30 g butter
- 120 ml milk (hot)
- 300 g green cabbage (finely tajado)
- 20 g fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 30 ml lime (su juice)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Season the beef with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and the cumin. Let it rest for 15 minutes while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
- 2
2. Heat a heavy pot over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon oil. Brown the beef for 3 to 4 minutes per side until well colored. Remove and set aside.
- 3
3. In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon of oil, scallions, white onion, tomato, garlic, and red bell pepper. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring, until a thick hogao forms.
- 4
4. Add the annatto or paprika, cocoa powder, panela, and bay leaf. Stir for 1 minute to combine well.
- 5
5. Pour in the black coffee and beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release all the flavor. Return the beef to the pot. Once it reaches a gentle simmer, lower the heat, cover, and cook for 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes, or until the meat is very tender.
- 6
6. Meanwhile, cook the arracacha in a pot with enough water and a pinch of salt for 20 to 25 minutes, until tender. Drain well.
- 7
7. Mash the hot arracacha with the butter, warm milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a little pepper until smooth. Keep warm over very low heat or covered.
- 8
8. Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a small drizzle of oil. Add the cabbage and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until slightly softened but still textured. Add the lime juice, cilantro, and a pinch of salt; toss and remove from the heat.
- 9
9. When the beef is tender, remove it from the pot and cut it into portions. If the sauce is too thin, simmer it uncovered for 5 to 8 more minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust salt and pepper, then return the meat to the sauce to coat well.
- 10
10. Serve a portion of arracacha mash, place the beef on top or alongside with plenty of coffee-cacao sauce, and finish with the warm cabbage salad. If you want to reheat it in the oven, use 350°F (175°C) for 8 to 10 minutes in a covered baking dish.
Chef tips
For a smoother, glossier sauce, blend the hogao with the coffee and broth before returning the meat to the pot. The beef also tastes better if rested for 10 minutes before slicing.
Substitutions
You can replace arracacha with cassava or yellow potatoes for the mash. If panela is unavailable, use brown sugar. Use unsweetened cocoa to keep the sauce balanced.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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