Bulgarian Pork with Plums and Apricots
A rich and flavorful Bulgarian stew featuring tender pork simmered with dried plums, apricots, and aromatic spices, creating a delightful balance of sweet and savory.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Pork shoulder(cut into 2-inch cubes)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 150 g Dried plums (prunes)(pitted)
- 100 g Dried apricots
- 200 ml Red wine
- 500 ml Beef broth
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 1 Bay leaf
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- for garnish Fresh parsley(chopped)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season the pork cubes generously with salt and pepper.
💡 Tip: Ensure even seasoning for best flavor. - 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the pork cubes on all sides in batches. Remove pork and set aside.
- 3
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes.
💡 Tip: Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. - 4
Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 5
Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, and cumin. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- 6
Pour in the red wine and scrape the bottom of the pot to deglaze. Let it simmer for a few minutes to reduce slightly.
- 7
Return the browned pork to the pot. Add the beef broth, dried plums, dried apricots, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer.
💡 Tip: Ensure the liquid covers most of the pork. - 8
Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for at least 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the pork is very tender.
💡 Tip: Stir occasionally and add more broth or water if needed. - 9
Remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
💡 Tip: The dried fruits will have softened and released their sweetness. - 10
Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley. This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.
💡 Tip: The sauce should be rich and slightly thickened.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a deeper flavor, marinate the pork in red wine with some herbs overnight before cooking.
- ✓If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the pork and fruit and reduce the sauce further, or mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little water and stir it into the simmering sauce.
- ✓Adjust the amount of dried fruit to your preference for sweetness.
🔄 Variations
- Add a few strips of bacon or pancetta at the beginning with the onions for extra depth of flavor.
- Include other root vegetables like carrots or parsnips, adding them during the last 30-45 minutes of simmering.
- A pinch of chili flakes can add a subtle warmth.