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Bakalca (bakalca): recipe illustration
Meat

Bakalca (bakalca)

A traditional stew of mature mutton simmered with vegetables and herbs, typical of Slovenian mountain regions. Its tender, fragrant meat is usually served with potatoes or polenta.

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Ingredients

Ingredients

Spices & seasoning

Optional extras

On the side

Instructions

  1. Season the mutton pieces with salt and pepper, then lightly flour them.
  2. Brown them in batches in very hot oil, 3 to 4 minutes per side, then set aside.
  3. In the same pot, fry the sliced onions for 8 minutes, then add the chopped garlic and tomato paste. Let it caramelise for 2 minutes.
  4. Deglaze with the white wine, scraping the bottom, and reduce by half.
  5. Return the meat, add the paprika, bay leaves, rosemary and stock until almost covered.
  6. Cover and simmer over very low heat for 1 h 30, until the meat falls apart with a fork.
  7. Add the carrots, parsnip and potatoes in large chunks, then cook for 25 more minutes.
  8. Adjust the seasoning, remove the rosemary and bay leaves, sprinkle with parsley and serve piping hot.

Variations and tips

Beef version. Replace the mutton with chuck steak, extending the cooking by 30 minutes.

Using what's available here. Mature mutton is often hard to find: lamb shoulder works very well, reducing the cooking to 1 hour.

More ideas

Original Ecomely recipe.