Stifado

Stifado is a classic Greek stew that transforms humble ingredients into a deeply flavorful masterpiece. This dish features tender beef chuck slowly braised in a robust sauce of dry red wine, fresh tomatoes, and warm spices like cinnamon and allspice. The star of the show is the pearl onions, which soften and sweeten during the long cooking process, adding a delicate contrast to the hearty meat. The aroma of rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf fills the kitchen as the stew simmers. It is a comforting, rustic meal perfect for cold evenings or intimate dinner parties. Serve it hot with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce, or alongside rice or potatoes for a complete, satisfying feast.

Cooking Method: Baking, Boiling

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Courses: Main Courses

Difficulty: Advanced

Servings: 6

Calories: 558.2

Description

Stifado is a classic Greek stew that transforms humble ingredients into a deeply flavorful masterpiece. This dish features tender beef chuck slowly braised in a robust sauce of dry red wine, fresh tomatoes, and warm spices like cinnamon and allspice. The star of the show is the pearl onions, which soften and sweeten during the long cooking process, adding a delicate contrast to the hearty meat. The aroma of rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf fills the kitchen as the stew simmers. It is a comforting, rustic meal perfect for cold evenings or intimate dinner parties. Serve it hot with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce, or alongside rice or potatoes for a complete, satisfying feast.

Ingredients

Olive oil
Boneless beef chuck, cut into 1-1/2" cubes
All-purpose flour
Small white boiling onions, peeled
Dry red wine
Tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
Garlic, minced
Chopped fresh oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried)
Chopped fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
Chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 teaspoon dried)
Ground cumin
Bay leaf, crumbled
Feta cheese, crumbled
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions

1
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Heat olive oil in a heavy 4- to 5-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
3
Toss beef cubes with flour in a large bowl until evenly coated.
4
Add beef to the hot pan in batches and cook until browned on all sides, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes per batch.
5
Transfer browned beef to a bowl and set aside.
6
Add peeled onions to the same pan and cook until light brown, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.
7
Add chopped tomatoes, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, rosemary, cumin, and crumbled bay leaf to the pan. Stir to combine.
8
Stir in dry red wine and bring the mixture to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
9
Return the beef to the pan, stirring to combine with the sauce.
10
Cover the Dutch oven and place it in the preheated oven. Bake until beef is tender, about 2 hours.
11
If preparing ahead, cover and refrigerate the cooled stew for up to 1 day. Rewarm in a 350°F (177°C) oven before proceeding.
12
Stir crumbled feta cheese into the stew.
13
Return the covered Dutch oven to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese is heated through.
14
Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6 servings

Amount Per Serving
Calories 558.2kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 40.5g63%
Saturated Fat 12.3g62%
Cholesterol 132.8mg45%
Sodium 122.6mg6%
Total Carbohydrate 0.0g0%
Dietary Fiber 0.0g0%
Sugars 0.0g
Protein 44.3g89%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: stifado, greek, beef stew, pearl onions, red wine, cinnamon, allspice, rosemary, thyme, braised beef, comfort food, mediterranean, dinner, slow cooked, hearty

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/stifado-2/