Bekri Meze – Drunken Pork Stew with Cheese
A quick and hearty pork stew with a rich tomato sauce, red wine, melted cheese, and a touch of spice. Absolutely delicious!
- Prep10 min
- Cook35 min
- Total45 min
- DifficultyEasy
- Servings2
This dish is inspired by the classic Greek meze tradition, where bold flavors and simple ingredients come together in a rustic, satisfying stew. The pork is first seared to lock in flavor, then simmered with sweet red wine, tomatoes, and spices until tender.
What makes this recipe special is the addition of small cubes of Gruyère or Kefalotyri cheese, which soften in the hot sauce just before serving. The result is a rich, slightly spicy stew that’s perfect as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. Serve it with crusty bread to soak up every last drop.
Ingredients
Converted amounts are rounded.
Method
- Pat the pork pieces dry with paper towels. Season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cumin, rubbing the spices into the meat. Let it marinate at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a sauté pan over high heat. Sear the meat on all sides until well browned.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the minced onion. Stir constantly for 1 minute. Pour in the sweet red wine and scrape the bottom of the pan well to release any browned bits.
- Add the tomato paste and stir until it caramelizes and the wine has mostly evaporated.
- Add the diced tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and toss in the bay leaf, oregano, and whole garlic cloves. Pour in 1 cup of boiling water.
- Simmer partially covered for about 20–25 minutes, or until the meat is tender and the sauce has thickened. If needed, add a splash of extra water and continue simmering.
- When ready, scatter the cheese cubes over the stew. Turn off the heat, cover the pan, and let the cheese soften for 2 minutes. Serve sprinkled with red pepper flakes and extra oregano.
💡 Tips
- For extra depth, use a dry red wine instead of sweet and adjust the seasoning.
- If you don't have Gruyère or Kefalotyri, a firm cheese like graviera or even halloumi works well.
- Serve with crusty bread or rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
Inspired by a recipe from Real Greek Recipes