Ostropel facts for kids
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| Type | Stew |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Romania |
| Main ingredients | Chicken (or Rabbit, lamb, or other types of meat), tomato sauce, garlic or spring onions |
Imagine a yummy stew from Romania! It's called Ostropel. This dish is usually made with tender chicken pieces. It's cooked in a rich, thick tomato sauce. Sometimes, fresh garlic or spring onions are added for extra flavor.
While chicken is common, you might also find Ostropel made with rabbit or lamb. Other types of meat can be used too. There are even vegetarian versions of Ostropel. These are often made during fasting periods.
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A Special Romanian Dish
Ostropel is a truly special dish from Romania. It's one of those unique foods you won't easily find anywhere else in the world! Because of this, Ostropel is a very important part of traditional Romanian cuisine. It's a staple, meaning it's a common and loved meal there.
How to Make Ostropel
Making Ostropel involves a few simple steps to create its delicious taste.
Cooking the Chicken
First, the chicken pieces are prepared. These are usually drumsticks or thighs. They are fried until they are nicely browned. This step helps to seal in the flavor of the chicken.
Preparing the Sauce
Next, a flavorful sauce is created. Water is mixed with the cooking oil from the chicken. Then, tomato sauce, a little flour, garlic, and onions are added. This mixture is stirred and cooked until it starts to boil. The sauce will begin to thicken as it heats up.
Combining and Serving
Once the sauce is boiling, the fried chicken is added back into the pan. The chicken and sauce are left to boil together for about fifteen minutes. This allows the chicken to soak up all the flavors. The sauce will also become very thick and rich. Before serving, fresh parsley is often sprinkled on top. Ostropel is usually enjoyed with Mămăligă (which is a type of polenta). A light salad often comes with it too.
Different Kinds of Ostropel
Like many traditional dishes, Ostropel has different versions. These variations depend on the region in Romania where it is made.
Ostropel in Moldova
In the region of Moldova, the recipe for Ostropel is quite simple. Not many extra ingredients are added to the sauce. This keeps the focus on the main flavors of chicken and tomato.
Ostropel in Oltenia
However, in the region of Oltenia, the recipe is a bit different. Here, carrots and vinegar are added to the sauce. This gives the dish a unique taste. Also, in Oltenia, Ostropel is served with boiled potatoes instead of Mămăligă.
