World Flavors Cookbook

Dalmatinska Pašticada

A slow-cooked beef stew from Dalmatia, marinated for days and braised in a rich sauce of wine, prunes, and spices.

Cuisine: Croatia

Ingredients

• 2kg beef round or rump
• Garlic and bacon for larding
• Marinade: Red wine vinegar, garlic, onions, cloves
• Sauce:
• 3 onions, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 celery root, chopped
• 10 dried prunes
• 2 dried figs
• 500ml red wine (Prošek or Plavac Mali)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• Cloves, nutmeg, salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Lard the beef with garlic and bacon strips. Marinate in vinegar and spices overnight.
2. Sear the beef on all sides in a heavy pot until browned.
3. Remove meat and sauté onions, carrots, and celery in the same fat.
4. Return meat to the pot, add tomato paste, wine, prunes, figs, and spices.
5. Braised on low heat for at least 3 hours, adding beef stock if needed.
6. Once the meat is tender, remove it and blend the vegetables and liquids into a thick, smooth sauce.
7. Slice the beef and serve with homemade potato gnocchi.