Veal kokkinisto with rice
Veal kokkinisto with rice stars stewed veal slow cooked in a rich tomato sauce
Servings: 4 people
Equipment
- Frying pan
- Saucepots, medium and large
Ingredients
- 1.2 kilograms (2.5 lbs) veal front
- 1/2 tbsp salt (for the meat)
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) vegetable oil for frying
- 1 onion
- 1 cup (250 mL) boiling water
- 2 1/2 cups (625 mL) tomato sauce or passata
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups long grain rice
- 1/2 tbsp salt for the rice water
- olive oil
- mizithra (or combo parmesan/romano) cheese optional
Instructions
- Cut meat up into serving size pieces. You don’t want small cubes of meat, but rather portion sizes. So, for example, if you are going to be feeding 4 – 6 people with this dish, then cut the meat up into 4 – 6 pieces.
- Pour the juice of one lemon over the meat, and sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon of salt over the pieces.
- Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a pot (this is the pot you will ultimately add the rest of your ingredients to, so make sure it is large enough) over medium-high heat and brown the meat on all sides, approximately 20 minutes total.
- Remove the meat from the pot. Remove all but one tablespoon oil / grease from the saucepan. Add the onion and sauté it until caramelized, approximately 5 minutes.
- Return the meat to the saucepan and add 1 cup boiling water, 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
- Bring to a boil and then lower to low-medium heat. Keep covered, but allow for a vent for steam to escape. Cook for 1 hour and 45 minutes.
- Approximately 30 minutes before the meat is finished cooking, boil a pot of water. Add 1/2 tablespoon salt. Once the water is boiling, add the rice. Cook, uncovered until the rice is cooked, approximately 20 minutes (or according to the package instructions). Once the rice is cooked to your liking, drain the rice using a colander. Be amazed at how easy this was.
- Once the rice has cooled slightly, grease a cup or mould lightly with olive oil. Press the rice into the cup and carefully invert it onto the serving plate. Repeat for all the serving plates.
- Serve meat alongside the rice. Pour the sauce over the meat, and the rice if desired. The rice can be served with some mizithra cheese sprinkled on top.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Check your sauce pot with the meat and tomato sauce periodically. If you find it getting too dry, add an equal combination of boiling water and tomato sauce.