Ostropel is one of the most loved Romanian dishes. It is prepared with few and very accessible ingredients, with minimal effort and in a relatively short time. The recipe is ancient, of Turkish origin, but has been adapted by Romanian chefs according to local tastes and ingredients. It is specially prepared in Oltenia, where dishes with a lot of garlic predominate.
Below we offer you the complete list of ingredients and the steps required to prepare one of the most popular traditional recipes in Romanian cuisine.
Traditional Sorrel Recipe – Ingredients
- 750 gr of chicken legs
- 1 medium onion
- 5-6 cloves of garlic
- 2-3 tablespoons of sunflower oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 200 ml of chicken broth or water
- 400 g of canned tomatoes
- some fresh tomatoes
- 1 bunch of green parsley
- 1 tablespoon of vinegar, optional
- green onion leaves, for decoration
Chicken stew – Method of preparation
Start by preparing the ingredients, so that you have them on hand when you prepare the ostropele. Cut the chicken legs into two pieces. Put them in a bowl, sprinkle them with salt and pepper and massage them well. Then cover them and let them rest for 15-20 minutes to allow the spices to penetrate the meat.
Peel the onion, wash it and cut it into flakes. Clean the garlic and cut it into rings. Also cut the fresh tomatoes into cubes or quarters if they are smaller. When you have all these ingredients ready, you can start making ostropel.
How to prepare chicken ostropel according to the traditional recipe
After the chicken legs have rested and infused with the salt and pepper, put a pan of oil on the stove. Heat the oil and brown the chicken well. Turn the meat from side to side for even browning. Add the chopped onion and two cloves of garlic and mix it with the pieces of meat. After the meat is browned, transfer it to another dish and cover it to keep it warm.