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Stifado

Hearty Stifado: Dive into Greek Comfort Food Bliss

Experience the rich flavors of Stifado, a traditional Greek beef stew, perfect for cozy gatherings and Mediterranean comfort.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Stew Ingredients
  • 1 kg Stewing Beef/Chuck Steak Choose well-marbled cuts for tenderness.
  • 2 Tbsp Olive Oil For browning the meat.
  • 12 Pearl Onions Can substitute with shallots.
  • 3 Garlic Cloves, chopped
  • 500 ml Red Wine Choose a dry red wine.
  • 400 g Chopped Tomatoes Canned.
  • 75 ml Red Wine Vinegar Can also use balsamic vinegar.
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 Tbsp Tomato Paste Can substitute with tomato puree.
  • 4 Bay Leaves
  • 2 tsp Oregano
  • 1 Cinnamon Stick
  • 1 tsp Allspice Berries
  • 2 Beef Stock Cubes
  • 10 Dried Apricots, optional Can substitute with raisins.
  • 10 Prunes, optional
  • Salt & Pepper To taste.

Equipment

  • Dutch oven

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Season plain flour with salt and pepper in a shallow dish, then coat the stewing beef evenly. In a Dutch oven, heat olive oil over high heat and brown the beef on all sides for about 5-7 minutes. Remove the beef and set it aside, leaving the flavorful drippings in the pot.
  2. In the same Dutch oven, reduce the heat to medium and add pearl onions. Sauté them for about 8-10 minutes until they turn golden brown and become tender. Add the chopped garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Add the red wine to the pot, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom. Add the chopped tomatoes, red wine vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir in the bay leaves, oregano, cinnamon stick, allspice berries, and beef stock cubes. Bring to a gentle simmer for about 5 minutes.
  4. Return the browned beef to the pot, cover with a lid, and transfer to the preheated oven. Let it cook for 2-3 hours until the beef is fork-tender and the sauce thickens. Add water if needed.
  5. Remove from oven, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This stew pairs wonderfully with sides like garlicky broad beans or crusty bread.

Nutrition

Serving: 1plateCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 35gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Stifado flavors meld beautifully after sitting, making it ideal for make-ahead meals.

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