“For many parents, the world of the future may appear challenging and demanding, even daunting. The newborn baby offers us the gift of hope. Babies renew and transform us, charging us with the passion and energy we need to face the uncertainties of life. The birth of a baby may be the supreme moment when hope and history rhyme.” – Kevin Nugent (Your Amazing Newborn)
My husband and I have had a lot to celebrate this year, as 2022 marked two years in our new home and two years of becoming parents to a beautiful little girl who has brought us so much joy. While the past two years have been challenging, we’ve also had so many special moments. Spending time creating a cozy home together and watching our daughter grow has truly been a blessing. It really is amazing to see how much she has grown in such a short time. The little newborn we had to rock to sleep every night has become a spirited, energetic toddler who the other day when my husband came from from work asked right away “how was your day daddy?”
For me, motherhood has been messy, beautiful, chaotic and, lets be honest, exhausting. In as many ways as my daughter has grown the past two years, I feel as though I have been growing and changing right along with her. Motherhood has taught me to trust my instincts, to be kind to myself, to ask for help when I need it (which is often), and to simply enjoy the little moments spent in our home, watching our daughter play, because the truth is those are really big moments.
I realized recently that one thing I have missed the past two years is writing + blogging. After we celebrated our birthdays in March, I knew Ramadan was quickly approaching and I knew that writing about Ramadan would motivate me to return to my blog. Simply because Ramadan reminds me of our family traditions and inspires me to find new recipes and re-create old recipes all in the nature of celebration. Nothing beats the comfort of eating a homecooked meal and spending time with family. With the addition of our daughter, involving her in our traditions adds to the celebration.
When I first made this recipe we had just finished a video chat with family in Delaware and Pennsylvania and even though we could not enjoy a meal in person it was satisfying to make something the reminded us of family meals we had shared in the past. This stew is hearty and packed with flavor thanks for the Xawaash Spice Mix. It’s the perfect one pot meal and a great way to take a little meat and stretch it a long way with the addition of carrots, potatoes & peppers. It’s delicious served over rice!
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Ramadan Recipe Series: Somali Beef Stew
Adapted from, In Bibi's Kitchen by Hawa Hassan with Julia Turshen
Ingredients
- Canola Oil - 1 tablespoons
- Red Onion - 1 small, thinly sliced
- Garlic Cloves - 3-4, minced
- Xawaash Spice Mix - 2 tablespoons
- Salt & Pepper - To taste
- Tomato Paste - 2 tablespoons
- Water - 2 cups
- Boneless Beef Chuck (stew meat) - 2 pounds, cut into chunks
- Golden Potatoes - 2 cups, chopped (approx. 2 medium potatoes)
- Carrots - 1 cup, chopped (approx. 2 large)
- Red Bell Pepper - 1, thinly sliced into strips
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until mixture is soft, stirring occasionally. Stir in the Xawaash spice mix, tomato paste and salt & pepper. Cook for two minutes or until mixture is fragrant. Stir in the water and increase heat to high.
- Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce heat to low and stir in the beef and potatoes. Cover the pot and simmer for 45 minutes, until beef and potatoes are just cooked through.
- Stir in the carrots and the red bell pepper and cook for an additional 30 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Season with additional salt & pepper to taste.
- Serve warm over rice with cilantro for topping.
