Afelia (Pork with Red Wine and Coriander)
Afelia is a traditional Cypriot dish featuring tender pork cubes marinated and slow-cooked in red wine with the aromatic punch of coriander seeds. It's a deeply flavorful and comforting stew, often served with bulgur wheat (pourgouri) or crusty bread.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Pork shoulder(cut into 3-4 cm cubes)
- 250 ml Red wine(dry, such as a local Cypriot or Greek red)
- 4 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 medium Onions(finely chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 tbsp Coriander seeds(lightly crushed)
- 1 piece Cinnamon stick
- 1 piece Bay leaf
- 1.5 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 1 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
- 100 ml Water or chicken stock(if needed)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a bowl, combine the pork cubes with the crushed coriander seeds, salt, and pepper. Mix well to ensure the pork is evenly coated.
💡 Tip: Lightly crushing the coriander seeds releases their aroma. - 2
Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- 3
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Add the marinated pork to the pot and brown it on all sides. This will take about 8-10 minutes.
- 5
Pour in the red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits. Add the cinnamon stick and bay leaf.
💡 Tip: Deglazing with wine adds depth of flavor. - 6
Bring the liquid to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook gently for at least 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the pork is very tender.
💡 Tip: The low and slow cooking is key to tender pork. - 7
Check the stew periodically. If it becomes too dry, add a little water or stock. Once the pork is tender, remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
💡 Tip: The sauce should be rich and slightly thickened. - 8
Serve hot, traditionally with pourgouri (bulgur wheat pilaf) or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
💡 Tip: A dollop of thick Greek yogurt is also a nice accompaniment.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure you use good quality pork shoulder with a good fat content for tenderness.
- ✓Don't rush the cooking process; slow simmering is essential for Afelia.
- ✓Coriander seeds are crucial for the authentic flavor of this dish.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of ground cloves for extra warmth.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.