Aromatic Beef Stew With Butternut Squash (from Self Magazine Nov. 2009)

INGREDIENTS

* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 pound stew beef, cut into cubes
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger
* 1 pound butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 1/2 cups)
* 1 can (14.5 oz) no-salt-added diced tomatoes
* 1 can (8 oz) no-salt-added tomato sauce
* 1 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth
* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
* 3 cups cooked whole-wheat couscous
* 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted in a dry skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown, 2 minutes
* 4 teaspoons minced fresh parsley

PREPARATION
Heat oil in a 4-qt saucepan over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer meat to a plate, leaving juices in saucepan. Add onion; cook, stirring, until translucent, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and ginger; cook, stirring, 1 minute more. Return beef to pot; stir in squash, tomatoes, sauce, broth, cumin, cinnamon and pepper flakes. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low. Cover; simmer until beef is tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Divide couscous and stew among 4 bowls. Sprinkle with almonds and parsley.

Makes 4 servings

Number of Servings: 4

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user AJP5763.