Chicken Ostropel with Polenta – A Delicacy from Traditional Cuisine
If you are looking for a recipe that combines tradition with flavor, chicken ostropel is the perfect choice. This dish has often been prepared in Romanian households, being a symbol of hospitality and family meals. Today I will present you with a simple and delicious recipe, inspired by the cookbook I received from my mother, full of memories and traditions.
Preparation and Cooking Time:
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken thighs
- 1 chicken breast
- 8-10 cloves of garlic
- 2-3 tomatoes or 400 ml of tomato juice
- 2-3 tablespoons of oil (preferably olive or sunflower oil)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Preparing the Ingredients:
Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the ingredients ready. You can use farm-fresh chicken, which is tastier and healthier. If you choose fresh tomatoes, I recommend blanching them to make peeling easier. If using tomato juice, choose a quality one without additives.
Step by Step – Cooking the Ostropel:
1. Preparing the meat:
Wash the chicken pieces well under cold water. Remove the skin if you prefer a lighter version of the dish. Heat a Zepter pot (or another cooking pot) over medium heat. Add the oil and, after a few seconds, add the chicken pieces. Make sure the oil is well heated to achieve even browning.
2. Browning the meat:
Let the chicken brown on one side for 5-7 minutes, then turn it over. Cover the pot with a lid and turn off the heat. This will allow the meat to steam and become tender. Wait until the lid indicator reaches the yellow zone.
3. Preparing the sauce:
After the chicken is well cooked, remove it from the pot onto a platter. In the remaining oil, add the finely chopped garlic. Stir gently until the garlic turns golden and releases its aroma. Add the tomato juice (or chopped tomatoes) and a cup of water. Let it simmer on low heat to thicken the sauce, about 10 minutes.
4. Finishing the dish:
Finally, add salt and pepper to taste, then reintroduce the chicken pieces into the sauce, covering them well. Let it simmer together for another 5 minutes. Add the chopped parsley for an extra touch of flavor and color.
5. Preparing the polenta:
Meanwhile, you can prepare the polenta. Boil water with salt, gradually add the cornmeal, and stir continuously to avoid lumps. Turn off the heat when it reaches the desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve the chicken ostropel alongside warm polenta. You can drizzle some extra virgin olive oil on top for an even more intense flavor. A green salad or a tomato and onion salad can perfectly complement the meal.
Gluten-Free Option:
If you want to avoid flour, you can add a few slices of potatoes to the sauce, which will break down and thicken the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I use turkey meat?
Yes, turkey ostropel is just as tasty, but it may require a longer cooking time.
2. How can I make this dish spicier?
Add chopped hot peppers or paprika to the tomato sauce to give it a spicy kick.
3. What is the nutritional value of this dish?
Chicken ostropel is a good source of protein, and garlic has antioxidant properties. A serving contains approximately 350 calories, depending on the amount of oil used.
Personal Story:
I fondly remember how, in my childhood, my mother would prepare chicken ostropel every Sunday. The aroma of fried garlic and fresh tomatoes filled the house, and the family gathered around the table. This dish always brought a sense of conviviality and love. I hope this recipe brings the same warmth and joy to your home.
In conclusion, chicken ostropel is more than just a dish – it is a sample of tradition and an opportunity to create unforgettable memories around the table. Enjoy your meal!
If you are looking for a recipe that combines tradition with flavor, chicken ostropel is the perfect choice. This dish has often been prepared in Romanian households, being a symbol of hospitality and family meals. Today I will present you with a simple and delicious recipe, inspired by the cookbook I received from my mother, full of memories and traditions.
Preparation and Cooking Time:
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken thighs
- 1 chicken breast
- 8-10 cloves of garlic
- 2-3 tomatoes or 400 ml of tomato juice
- 2-3 tablespoons of oil (preferably olive or sunflower oil)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Preparing the Ingredients:
Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the ingredients ready. You can use farm-fresh chicken, which is tastier and healthier. If you choose fresh tomatoes, I recommend blanching them to make peeling easier. If using tomato juice, choose a quality one without additives.
Step by Step – Cooking the Ostropel:
1. Preparing the meat:
Wash the chicken pieces well under cold water. Remove the skin if you prefer a lighter version of the dish. Heat a Zepter pot (or another cooking pot) over medium heat. Add the oil and, after a few seconds, add the chicken pieces. Make sure the oil is well heated to achieve even browning.
2. Browning the meat:
Let the chicken brown on one side for 5-7 minutes, then turn it over. Cover the pot with a lid and turn off the heat. This will allow the meat to steam and become tender. Wait until the lid indicator reaches the yellow zone.
3. Preparing the sauce:
After the chicken is well cooked, remove it from the pot onto a platter. In the remaining oil, add the finely chopped garlic. Stir gently until the garlic turns golden and releases its aroma. Add the tomato juice (or chopped tomatoes) and a cup of water. Let it simmer on low heat to thicken the sauce, about 10 minutes.
4. Finishing the dish:
Finally, add salt and pepper to taste, then reintroduce the chicken pieces into the sauce, covering them well. Let it simmer together for another 5 minutes. Add the chopped parsley for an extra touch of flavor and color.
5. Preparing the polenta:
Meanwhile, you can prepare the polenta. Boil water with salt, gradually add the cornmeal, and stir continuously to avoid lumps. Turn off the heat when it reaches the desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve the chicken ostropel alongside warm polenta. You can drizzle some extra virgin olive oil on top for an even more intense flavor. A green salad or a tomato and onion salad can perfectly complement the meal.
Gluten-Free Option:
If you want to avoid flour, you can add a few slices of potatoes to the sauce, which will break down and thicken the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I use turkey meat?
Yes, turkey ostropel is just as tasty, but it may require a longer cooking time.
2. How can I make this dish spicier?
Add chopped hot peppers or paprika to the tomato sauce to give it a spicy kick.
3. What is the nutritional value of this dish?
Chicken ostropel is a good source of protein, and garlic has antioxidant properties. A serving contains approximately 350 calories, depending on the amount of oil used.
Personal Story:
I fondly remember how, in my childhood, my mother would prepare chicken ostropel every Sunday. The aroma of fried garlic and fresh tomatoes filled the house, and the family gathered around the table. This dish always brought a sense of conviviality and love. I hope this recipe brings the same warmth and joy to your home.
In conclusion, chicken ostropel is more than just a dish – it is a sample of tradition and an opportunity to create unforgettable memories around the table. Enjoy your meal!