A Taste of Bulgaria: Red Wine Pork Stew

red wine

🥗Healthier: non-alcoholic red wine

💰Cheaper: grape juice

Non-alcoholic options maintain flavor without alcohol.

pork shoulder

🥗Healthier: chicken thighs

💰Cheaper: pork loin

Chicken is leaner while pork loin is more budget-friendly.

beef broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water with seasoning

Vegetable broth is lower in calories and costs.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil is healthier, while canola is more economical.

Go to the grocery store to buy supplies for the stew.

Show the Bulgarian countryside and grocery store.

Prepare the ingredients: pork, carrots, mushrooms, onions, garlic, thyme, and bay leaf.

Set up an outside barbecue for cooking.

Season the pork with salt and pepper, then lightly flour it.

Rest the floured pork on paper towels before cooking.

Heat oil in the pot over the fire until hot.

Add the pork to the pot and brown it for about 10-15 minutes, closing the lid to get smoky flavor.

Add the Bulgarian Sira wine to the pot after the pork is golden brown.

Add bay leaf and fresh thyme to the pot and let it cook in the wine for about 30 minutes.

Mix chicken stock with tomato paste in a separate bowl before adding it to the stew after 30 minutes of cooking.

Cover the pot with aluminum foil and place it in the oven for 3 hours.

After 2 hours, add potatoes, mushrooms, little onions, and garlic to the stew.

Cover the pot again and return it to the oven for the last hour of cooking.

After 3 hours, check the stew; everything should be soft and caramelized.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary