Dobrogea stew

Dobrogea stew is a traditional Romanian dish, full of aromas and authentic flavors, perfect for being enjoyed with family and friends. This simple yet flavorful recipe offers a delicious combination of pork, spices, and red wine, turning every meal into a true celebration. Additionally, it is a quick dessert if you choose to serve it with polenta or mashed potatoes. Let's get started!

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:
- 1 kg pork (choose a piece with a little fat for a richer taste)
- 50 ml sunflower or olive oil
- 2 bay leaves
- 10-15 whole peppercorns (for extra flavor)
- 2 cups of water
- 1 glass of red wine (choose a good quality wine that you enjoy)
- 3 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 1 head of garlic (fresh and with large cloves)
- Salt (to taste)
- Sweet paprika (for a touch of color and flavor)
- Ground pepper (to taste)

Instructions:

1. Preparing the meat: Start by cutting the pork into cubes of about 3-4 cm. This size will allow for even cooking and will keep the meat juicy.

2. Heating the oil: In a large skillet or deep pot, add the oil and heat it over medium heat. Make sure the oil is well heated before adding the meat, to achieve a nice browning.

3. Browning the meat: Add the meat cubes to the skillet, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the meat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it turns white and begins to brown.

4. Seasoning: Once the meat is browned, add the bay leaves, peppercorns, salt, paprika, and ground pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices.

5. Adding liquids: Pour the red wine into the skillet, followed by the two cups of water. Add the tomato paste, stirring vigorously to combine all the ingredients. This will give the stew an intense flavor and rich texture.

6. Cooking: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let the stew simmer for about 45 minutes. Check occasionally and add water if necessary to prevent sticking.

7. Finishing: In the last 5 minutes of cooking, peel and crush the garlic cloves. Add them to the stew, mixing well. Fresh garlic will add an unmistakable aroma and intense flavor.

8. Serving: Dobrogea stew is delicious served with warm polenta, which absorbs the flavorful sauce. You can also add pickles to balance the rich taste of the meat.

Variation suggestions: You can adapt the recipe by adding vegetables such as carrots or bell peppers to enrich the texture and add a note of freshness. You can also replace the red wine with white wine for a more delicate taste.

Enjoy this Dobrogea stew recipe, which will not only delight your taste buds but also bring a touch of tradition to your kitchen!

 Ingredients: 1 kg pork 50 ml oil 2 bay leaves 10-15 peppercorns 2 cups of water 1 glass of red wine 3 tablespoons of tomato paste 1 head of garlic salt paprika ground pepper