Slow-cooked and full of rich Mediterranean flavour, Kokkinisto is a traditional Greek dish where tender beef is gently braised in a fragrant tomato sauce infused with cinnamon, cloves, and red wine. The result is a hearty and comforting meal that is perfect served with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
- 700g beef chuck or beef tenderloin, cut into large pieces
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup plain flour
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 glass red wine
- 800g crushed tomatoes
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup water or beef stock (if needed)
Method
- Season the beef generously with salt and pepper, then lightly dust with flour.
- Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-based pot over medium-high heat.
- Brown the beef on all sides until well coloured. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté the onion until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for a further minute.
- Pour in the red wine and simmer for 2–3 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly.
- Return the beef to the pot and add the crushed tomatoes, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, cloves, oregano, and a little extra salt and pepper.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for approximately 1½–2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- If the sauce becomes too thick during cooking, add a little water or stock as needed.
- Remove the bay leaves, cinnamon stick, and cloves before serving.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if required.
Serve hot with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or fresh crusty bread to soak up the rich tomato sauce.