Dish

Limbă cu măsline

Romanian Beef Tongue with Olives

The dish is made by simmering beef tongue in water with vegetables and herbs until tender. The tongue is then sliced and sautéed with onions and garlic. Olives and tomato sauce are then added to the pan and simmered until thickened. The dish is typically served with a side of polenta or boiled potatoes.

European cuisine› Eastern European cuisine› Romanian cuisine

Stew

Origins and history

Limbă cu măsline is a traditional Romanian dish that has been enjoyed for centuries. Beef tongue was a common ingredient in Romanian cuisine, and this dish was often served at special occasions such as weddings and holidays.

Dietary considerations

This dish is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans as it contains beef tongue. It is also not suitable for those with gluten intolerance as it is typically served with polenta or bread.

Variations

There are many variations of Limbă cu măsline, with some recipes calling for the addition of other vegetables such as mushrooms or bell peppers. Some recipes also call for the addition of herbs such as thyme or oregano. Some variations also use different types of olives such as Kalamata or green olives instead of black olives.

Presentation and garnishing

Limbă cu măsline is typically served on a platter with the sliced beef tongue and olives arranged on top of the sauce. It is often garnished with chopped parsley or oregano.

Tips & Tricks

To make the dish even more flavorful, you can add herbs such as thyme or oregano to the sauce. You can also experiment with different types of olives such as Kalamata or green olives. To save time, you can use canned tomato sauce instead of making it from scratch.

Side-dishes

Limbă cu măsline is typically served with a side of polenta or boiled potatoes. Some people also like to serve it with a side of sautéed greens such as spinach or kale.

Drink pairings

Limbă cu măsline pairs well with a variety of Romanian wines such as Fetească Neagră or Merlot. It also pairs well with red wines such as Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon.