Hearty Pork Vegetable Stew (Printable Version)

# What You'll Need:

→ Meat

01 - 900 g pork shoulder or pork butt, cut into 3-4 cm cubes

→ Produce

02 - 1 large onion, chopped
03 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
05 - 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
06 - 2 celery stalks, chopped
07 - 1 red bell pepper, chopped
08 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

→ Pantry

09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - 2 tsp smoked paprika
11 - 1 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1 tsp dried thyme
13 - 2 bay leaves
14 - 1 can (400 g) diced tomatoes
15 - 950 ml chicken or beef broth
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
17 - 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)

→ Liquids

18 - 120 ml dry white wine (optional)

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season pork cubes with salt and pepper. Sear pork in batches until browned on all sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Set browned pork aside.
02 - In the same pot, add additional olive oil if needed. Sauté chopped onion for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add smoked paprika, ground cumin, and dried thyme. Cook while stirring for 1 minute to release aroma.
04 - Pour in dry white wine and scrape the bottom of the pot to deglaze, incorporating the caramelized bits. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
05 - Return browned pork to the pot. Add diced tomatoes, chicken or beef broth, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes.
06 - Stir in potatoes, carrots, celery, and red bell pepper. Simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes until pork is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
07 - For a thicker consistency, combine all-purpose flour with some cold water to form a smooth slurry. Stir slurry into the stew and cook for 10 more minutes to thicken.
08 - Remove and discard bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving hot, accompanied by crusty bread or rice.

# Helpful Notes:

01 - For best results, use pork shoulder or butt for optimal tenderness and flavor.
02 - A white wine deglaze balances the richness of the stew; omit for an alcohol-free version.
03 - Create a flour and water slurry only if a thicker gravy is preferred.
04 - Stew flavor deepens after resting; leftovers are even better the next day.
05 - Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freezer for up to 3 months in airtight containers.
06 - For variation, consider adding root vegetables such as parsnip or turnip, or stir in cooked white beans for extra heartiness.