Named after its dark, sweet sauce, posta negra is a classic Colombian dish made by braising beef in a flavorful liquid seasoned with panela sugar and spices. For our version, we call for a 5-pound beef chuck roast; it's a fat-rich cut, so trim it well before tying the roast. In the end, the meat will be superbly tender and succulent. In Colombia, the dish might be served with fried plantains, yucca fritters and a simple salad; we liked this rich beef with an easy pico de gallo and/or mashed potatoes.
Dinner
Serves 4-6
"In my next life, I want to be Moroccan. I just love the cooking techniques, the spices, the tastes. My elderly neighbour while I was growing up, Tovah, was Moroccan, and I'd often stop by her apartment to watch her cook (and to learn). the ingredients used here are certainly ones that could be found in many of Tovah's dishes, but I've combined them in a new way. The mint in particular adds freshness to what is otherwise a very rich dish."