Pork and Potato Stew
Another food for which I can not indicate a firm source - it would be great, along the way we learn something new about the simple potato dish. Yes, yes - I think I would say that it is one of the most popular foods here in Romania, in Moldova and of course in Russia and Ukraine (these are the countries whose foods I know how to say well). Everyone has her little tricks, here in this recipe I say that I have combined all the most successful. And something from my mother, and from my grandmother, father, mother-in-law, etc. - one of the most popular dishes of my childhood.
I recommend you to try it, it turned out very good - as I like to call the food when it comes out perfect - household - that's what any housewife should do, in consistency, taste, aroma. We all ate it with great appetite with some pickles, and fresh bread - soaked in potato sauce.
Wash the meat, dry it with a towel, then cut it into small pieces and fry in hot oil until golden brown.
Brown well on both sides, then take them out in a pan and so on until all the meat is browned.
This is how all the meat looks browned and ready to cook.
In the hot oil in which you hardened the meat, fry the diced carrots and onions.
When it softens well, add the tomato paste, mix, leave for 1 minute then turn off the heat.
Pour enough water over the meat to cover it perfectly and with a finger above. Put the bay leaf, and when it starts to boil well, turn down the heat and leave until the meat is ready. Depending on how lucky you were here, mine boiled for about 40 minutes - taste it to see if it has thawed. If it is beef, veal, cook it until it is soft - even 2-3 hours.
When cooking the meat, add the diced potatoes. Stir, if the water does not cover the potatoes perfectly, add a little more. Let it simmer until it starts to boil, then cook over low heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes add the composition of hardened vegetables. stir and simmer for another 10 minutes.
Then season with salt, add pepper and paprika, mix carefully so as not to make potato porridge.
Dissolve 2 tablespoons of flour in half a cup of water - mix well so they are not lumpy. With this composition we will straighten the potato sauce - not to be like a water, but to thicken it a bit as it is due to an exemplary sauce :)
This trick my mother-in-law taught me and now my potatoes "are like my mother's" - I recommend, very good job :)
Pour this mixture over the potatoes, mix carefully and let it thicken a little for another 5 minutes on low heat.
Then turn off the heat and let all the ingredients penetrate for another 10 minutes.
And here's a portion - good to lick your fingers ...
Combine with a salad or some pickles.
Good appetite!
