Meats
A staple of Turkish home cooking, Classic Beef Sauté (Et Sote) is the definition of comfort food. While the name implies a quick fry, this dish is actually a slow-cooked stew where bite-sized beef cubes are simmered until they fall apart at the touch of a fork. Braised in a rich sauce of ripe tomatoes, green peppers, and aromatic thyme, the meat absorbs every bit of flavor. It’s a hearty, one-pot wonder that creates its own delicious gravy—perfect for dipping crusty bread.
Ingredients :
- 850 g beef (chuck or stewing beef), cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 large onion
- 1 large tomato
- 4 green peppers (Turkish Charleston or Italian frying peppers)
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 tbsp olive oil (approx. 1/4 cup)
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 cups hot water
Preparation :
- Heat a wide pot over high heat and add the meat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until it releases its juices and then completely reabsorbs them (until the liquid evaporates).
- Meanwhile, finely chop the onions, green peppers, and tomatoes, and mince the garlic.
- Once the liquid has evaporated, pour in the olive oil and add the onions. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent.
- Stir in the green peppers and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Then, add the tomato paste and cover the pot.
- Cook the paste for 2-3 minutes until it releases its fragrance. Add the diced tomatoes and garlic, stirring gently and cover the pot.
- Once the tomatoes have softened, season with paprika, thyme, salt, and add the bay leaves. Pour in the hot water, cover the pot, and simmer on low heat for about 1 hour until the meat is fully tender.
