Kavarma Pork and Vegetables
A hearty and flavorful Bulgarian stew featuring tender pork, a medley of vegetables, and aromatic spices, slow-cooked to perfection.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Pork shoulder(cut into 2-3 cm cubes)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 2 medium Bell peppers(mixed colors, seeded and chopped)
- 400 g Tomatoes(canned, diced)
- 2 medium Carrots(peeled and sliced)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 200 ml Red wine
- 300 ml Vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Paprika(sweet)
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Marjoram(dried)
- 1 Bay leaf
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- for garnish Fresh parsley(chopped)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F).
💡 Tip: Ensure oven is fully preheated before adding the dish. - 2
Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the pork cubes in batches, then set aside.
- 3
Add onions and bell peppers to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 4
Stir in minced garlic, tomato paste, paprika, cumin, and marjoram. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 5
Deglaze the pot with red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- 6
Return the pork to the pot. Add diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, sliced carrots, and a bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper.
💡 Tip: Ensure all ingredients are well combined. - 7
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the pot tightly with a lid or foil.
💡 Tip: A tight seal is crucial for slow cooking. - 8
Transfer the pot to the preheated oven and bake for 2 to 2.5 hours, or until the pork is very tender.
💡 Tip: Check for tenderness after 2 hours. - 9
Remove the bay leaf before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
💡 Tip: Serve hot with crusty bread or rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can marinate the pork in red wine and spices overnight.
- ✓Adjust the amount of paprika to your spice preference.
- ✓If the stew seems too thin, you can thicken it with a cornstarch slurry in the last 15 minutes of cooking.
🔄 Variations
- Add mushrooms or potatoes for extra heartiness.
- Include a pinch of chili flakes for a spicier version.
- Substitute beef or lamb for pork.