Lički Lonac - Traditional Croatian Meat and Vegetable Stew

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cubed 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cubed
• 500g (1.1 lb) pork, cubed 500g (1.1 lb) pork, cubed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 carrots, sliced 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 bell pepper, diced 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 small cabbage, shredded 1/4 small cabbage, shredded
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 liter (4 cups) beef or vegetable broth 1 liter (4 cups) beef or vegetable broth
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 8g
• Protein: 40g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, and sauté until they become translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the beef and pork cubes to the pot, and brown them on all sides.
3. 3.
   Stir in the carrots, potatoes, bell pepper, cabbage, and tomatoes. Cook for a few minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
4. 4.
   Sprinkle the paprika, salt, and pepper over the ingredients, and stir well to coat everything evenly.
5. 5.
   Pour in the beef or vegetable broth, and add the bay leaves. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
6. 6.
   Simmer the stew for about 2 hours, or until the meat is tender and the flavors have melded together.
7. 7.
   Remove the bay leaves before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef and Pork — For the best results, choose cuts of meat that are suitable for slow cooking, such as chuck roast or pork shoulder. Trim any excess fat before cubing the meat to ensure a leaner stew.

Tips & Tricks

• For added depth of flavor, you can brown the meat in batches before adding the onions and garlic.
• Feel free to adjust the amount of paprika according to your taste preferences. You can use a combination of sweet and smoked paprika for a more pronounced smoky flavor.
• Lički Lonac tastes even better the next day, as the flavors continue to develop. Consider making it in advance and reheating it for a delicious meal.

Serving advice

Lički Lonac is traditionally served hot in deep bowls. It pairs well with crusty bread or cornbread to soak up the flavorful broth.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some fresh parsley over the stew before serving. The vibrant green color adds a pop of freshness to the dish.