Trinchado (Spicy South African Portuguese Braised Beef)

Trinchado is a classic Portuguese dish that is spicy and rich. Its very famous dish in South Africa with strong Portuguese influences, as the Portuguese immigration from nearby Angola and Mozambique. Slightly thick and very flavourful sauce with a spicy kick is what makes this dish delicious. Here is simple and easy recipe for you all to try. 

Ingredients

• Beef 1 kg, cubed / strips
• Worchester / Soya Sauce 2 to 3 tbsp
• Balsamic Vinegar 1 to 2 tbsp
• Margarine / Butter 3 tbsp
• Olive Oil 3 tbsp
• Onions 2 medium size, chopped
• Red Chilli Pepper 4 nos, chopped
• Garlic 8 cloves, chopped
• All purpose flour 3 tbsp
• Beef Stock or water 1 cup
• Red Wine 1 cup / Brandy 1/2 cup
• Bay leaves 2 
• Sugar 1 tbsp
• Salt 
• Black Pepper 1 tsp, crushed
• Bread / Bun and chips for serving.

Method

Marinate beef cubes/ strips in worchester / soya sauce for 1 hour. This will help the meat to tender once cooked. Rinse marinated beef before browning. In a large sauce pan , heat 1 tbsp of margarine/ butter and 1 tbsp oil. When the margarine is melted and sizzling , add about 1/4 portion of the beef and brown well. Remove the browned beef from sauce pan, place in a bowl and set aside. Repeat with remaining of beef in three to four batches. Add 1 tbsp margarine/ butter and 1 tbsp oil between the batches as needed. Each batch should brown for about 3 to 4 minutes. so the juices are sealed within the cubes / strips. Once the browning procedure done, reduce the heat and add the chopped onions and saute for 2 minutes. Now add chopped garlic and chopped chilli and saute well. Cook until onions become soft. Sprinkle the flour over the onion garlic mixture and stir for about 2 minutes. or until combine well and thick. 

Add the stock or water, red wine/ brandy and bay leaves. Stir until the sauce thickens and simmer for about 10 minutes. Add the beef cubes/ strips together with any juices that may be in the bowl. Leave to simmer for about 20 minutes or until beef is tender and cooked. Season with salt and pepper. Serve in a bowl with bun rolls and french fries as side. 

NB: Depending on quality of wine, sauce may have a bitter taste add sugar accordingly. I have used Portuguese red wine, it was nice. If you don't like red wine use brandy, depends on personal tastes. Enjoy cooking..