Gizzard and heart stew

Delicious Gizzard and Heart Stew

Do you remember those warm days when grandma prepared delicious dishes, and their aroma filled the house? Today, I invite you to relive those moments with a simple yet flavorful recipe: gizzard and heart stew. This recipe is not only a delight but also a way to explore culinary traditions that connect us to our roots.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 3 hours
Total time: 3 hours and 20 minutes
Servings: 4-6

Necessary ingredients:
- 500 g gizzards and hearts (make sure they are fresh for optimal taste)
- 3 carrots (sweet carrots will add a touch of flavor)
- 2 onions (choose white or yellow onion, depending on preference)
- 1 parsley root (adds a subtle taste)
- 4 cloves of garlic (for intense aroma)
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil (for a fine taste)
- Salt (to taste)
- Mixed peppercorns (for a spicy note)
- A handful of chopped parsley (for garnish)
- A sprig of mint (for an extra freshness)
- 2 green onion leaves (optional, for a fresher taste)
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste (for vibrant color)
- 2 tablespoons of pepper paste (for a rich flavor)

Preparing the gizzards and hearts

Step 1: Cleaning and washing
Start by thoroughly washing the gizzards and hearts. It is essential to remove any remaining blood, especially from the inside of the heart ventricles. Cut the hearts in half to ensure they are clean. A thorough wash will guarantee a pleasant texture and delicious taste.

Step 2: Preparing the vegetables
Peel the carrots and cut them into rounds or cubes, as preferred. Chop the onion finely, and cut the parsley root into small pieces. Crush or finely chop the garlic.

Cooking the stew

Step 3: Assembling the ingredients
In a large baking dish, grease the bottom with olive oil. Place the gizzards and hearts, then add the cleaned and chopped vegetables. Sprinkle salt, add the peppercorns, chopped parsley, and mint leaves.

Step 4: Adding water
Pour a cup of water over all the ingredients. This will help slow-cook the meat, keeping it juicy.

Step 5: Baking
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it in a preheated oven at 150 degrees Celsius for 2 hours. Slow cooking will allow the meat to become tender and flavorful.

Step 6: Finishing the dish
After two hours, remove the dish from the oven and take off the aluminum foil. Add the tomato paste and pepper paste, dissolved in half a cup of water, and mix gently. Return the dish to the oven, this time without foil, for another hour. This step will help caramelize the flavors.

Step 7: Garnishing
When the stew is ready, turn off the heat and add the chopped green onion leaves. These will add a fresh note and a pleasant appearance to your dish.

Serving the stew

Personal note: Serve the gizzard and heart stew with a side of mashed potatoes or polenta. A summer salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and green onions will perfectly complement this dish. Additionally, a glass of red wine would be the ideal accompaniment to highlight the rich flavors of the meat.

Nutritional value (per serving):
- Calories: approximately 320
- Protein: 25 g
- Fat: 14 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g

Practical tips:
- If you want to try a more sophisticated version, you can add champignon mushrooms or black olives during cooking.
- For an even more intense flavor, you can replace some of the water with white or red wine during the first cooking stage.
- Make sure to use quality olive oil, as it will significantly influence the final taste of the dish.

Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use only gizzards or only hearts?
Yes, you can adapt the recipe to your preferences, but the combination offers a more complex flavor.
2. What other vegetables can I use?
Carrots, onion, and parsley root are the most common, but you can experiment with potatoes or bell peppers.
3. How can I store the stew?
It can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days or frozen for later use.

This gizzard and heart stew is not just a recipe but a story about tradition, family, and memorable moments. I encourage you to try it and share it with your loved ones! Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: 500 g gizzards and hearts, 3 carrots, 2 onions, 1 parsley root, 4 cloves of garlic, olive oil, salt, mixed peppercorns, a handful of chopped parsley, a sprig of mint, 2 green onion leaves, 1 tablespoon of broth, 2 tablespoons of pepper broth.

 Tags:  gizzards and hearts stew