Oltenian Tochitura with polenta

To prepare a delicious pork stew, we start by cutting the pork leg into appropriately sized cubes so that it cooks evenly. Also, the smoked bacon is cut into small cubes to add extra flavor to the dish. In a large pot, we heat the oil over medium heat, being careful not to make it too hot to avoid burning the meat. When the oil is heated, we add the pork cubes, seasoning them with salt and pepper to taste, and fry them until they are browned on all sides. After the meat has browned, we remove it from the pot and set it aside.

In the same pot, without washing the oil, we add the cubes of smoked bacon. This will add an intense flavor and rich taste to the dish. We let the bacon brown for a few minutes, after which we remove it and set it aside as well. Next, we take care of the vegetables that will complete this dish. We clean the mushrooms, wash them well, and chop them finely. The onion and bell pepper are cleaned and diced. We add these vegetables to the pot where we fried the meat, taking advantage of the remaining flavors. We sauté them for about 5 minutes until they become translucent and release their aromas.

After the vegetables have sautéed, we add 150 ml of tomato juice, which will add a sweet and sour taste and help form a delicious sauce. We cover the pot and let the mixture simmer over low heat so that the flavors combine harmoniously. After a few minutes, we add the finely chopped garlic along with the fried meat and bacon. We let everything boil together for 2-3 minutes so that the meat absorbs all the flavors from the sauce.

To serve the stew, we turn our attention to polenta, an ideal traditional accompaniment. Polenta is made from cornmeal boiled in salted water, stirring constantly until we achieve a creamy consistency. It is served hot alongside the flavorful stew, and for a special touch, we can sprinkle chopped green parsley on top. For cheese lovers, a delicious option is to add some grated cheese, which will melt easily over the warmth of the dish. This pork stew is not only a hearty meal but also a culinary experience that will bring joy to any family's table.

 Ingredients: 500 g pork meat, 100 g smoked bacon, 200 g mushrooms, 1 bell pepper, 2 onions, 150 ml tomato juice, 3 cloves of garlic, 100 ml oil, salt, pepper

 Tags:  onion meat garlic tomatoes pepper oil mushrooms pig christmas and new year's recipes