Description
Kokkinisto is a traditional Greek beef stew that features tender chunks of beef slow-cooked in a rich tomato sauce infused with warm spices like cinnamon and cloves. This comforting dish, perfect for cozy dinners, combines the deep flavors of red wine, garlic, and tomato to create an exquisite taste experience that pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef chuck or stew meat, cut into large cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth or water
Optional Garnish
- Chopped parsley
- Crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Sear the Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Sear the beef cubes in batches until browned on all sides, then transfer them to a plate to set aside.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Lower the heat to medium and add the finely chopped onion to the pot. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until softened, then add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Tomato Paste and Deglaze: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to deepen its flavor. Pour in the red wine and deglaze the pot by scraping up the browned bits from the bottom. Let the wine simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add Seasonings and Tomatoes: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, bay leaf, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
- Combine Beef and Broth: Return the seared beef cubes to the pot and pour in the beef broth or water. Stir gently to incorporate all the ingredients evenly.
- Simmer the Stew: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the pot and let the stew simmer gently for 2 to 2.5 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender and the sauce is thickened. Stir occasionally and add a splash of water if the sauce becomes too thick. Remove and discard the bay leaf before serving.
- Serve: Serve the kokkinisto hot over your choice of pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread. Garnish with chopped parsley or crumbled feta cheese if desired.
Notes
- For an even richer flavor, marinate the beef in red wine and garlic for a few hours before cooking.
- This stew tastes better the next day, making it ideal for meal prep or entertaining guests.
- You can substitute beef broth with water if preferred, though broth adds more depth to the flavor.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste, especially salt and pepper.
- Serve with starches like pasta, rice, or potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
