Stifado (Greek Stew)

Stifado is a Greek stew that is characterized by a large amount of onions, wine, and cinnamon.  I was skeptical about adding Feta cheese to it at the end, but it's absolutely delicious!!!  Plus, this recipe was unbelievably easy to make.

 

{Stifado complete with Feta cheese}

 

{Getting everything together}

 

{Brown the meat--don't worry about the stuff stuck on the bottom because you are going to deglaze the pan!}

 

{Brown the onions}

 

{Adding the remaining sauce ingredients}

 

{I got this ready the night before}

 

{Dump in a crock-pot}

 

{Before cheese!}

Stifado (Greek Stew)
adapted from this recipe

Serves 4

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds stew meat, cut into 1 inch cubes
3 large onions, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
3/4  teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar (feel free to use just red wine)
16 oz tomato sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1 bay leaf
5 oz Feta cheese, crumbled

1. Heat oil in a pan.
2. Brown beef in batches until all meat is browned.  Place meat a container.  (If you are doing this in the morning, place it directly in the crock-pot)
3. Add onions and garlic to the pan, cooking until soft and browned.
4. Add spices and cook for 2-3 minutes.
5. Add vinegar, tomato sauce, and sugar, stirring well to combine.  Add this onion mixture to the meat.
6. Place everything in a crock-pot including with the bay leaf.
7. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
8. When serving, sprinkle with Feta cheese.

I love recipes like this because it makes you use something you typically would use for sweets (cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves) and uses it for a savory dish.  Do you use these spices for dishes other than sweets?

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