One of the most classic Greek comfort foods is Kokkinisto. Kokkinisto means “reddened” and is the name given to meat dishes braised in tomato. These dishes are quite simple to make and are served with rice, spaghetti, mashed potatoes or olive oil fried potatoes–or orzo, which is boiled in the pan sauces and is called youvetsi. The meat is usually beef, chicken, lamb, goat or rabbit. First, the meat is seasoned (and if the sauce needs to be thick, dusted with flour) and seared in olive oil, followed by red wine. The meat is then removed to saute the onion and the rest of the vegetables (usually carrots, leeks OR various peppers and also garlic if desired) or this can be done in a separate pan and added to the pot with the meat. Finally tomato (either fresh, canned or in paste) is added along with aromatic spices of choice, which could be any combination of bay leaves, cinnamon stick, allspice berries, nutmeg, cloves. I usually add bay leaves and a piece of cinnamon stick OR allspice berries. The dish should slowly braise for about 1 hour for chicken and 2 hours for red meat or if you have a pressure cooker, about 30 minutes (and 10 for chicken).
