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Tsigareli
Tsigarélli: Corfu's mixed greens braised in olive oil with tomato, garlic and hot paprika
Corfiots gather wild chicory, sow-thistle, fennel tops and young chard from the olive groves in winter and spring and stew them into tsigareli, a peppery, oily braise that sits on the table with bread, feta and a fried egg or two. The Venetian-era love of hot red pepper shows: it should warm the back of your throat. Common mistake: drowning the greens in water — they make their own juice, so add only a splash. Chef's tip: shop-bought mixes of spinach, chard, rocket and dill work well; add the tender leaves last so they keep some colour.
- Total time
- 50 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Warm ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil in a wide pot over a medium heat and cook 1 onion until soft and golden.
7 minStep 2: Add 4 cloves garlic and 1 ½ tsp hot paprika or cayenne and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant, then stir in 1 ½ tbsp tomato paste for 1 minute.
2 minStep 3: Add the tougher 2 ⅝ lb mixed greens (chard, spinach, chicory, rocket) first (chard stalks, chicory), with 1 tsp salt and ½ cup water. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring once.
10 minStep 4: Add the tender leaves and ⅔ oz fennel fronds or dill, cover and cook until everything is soft and most of the liquid has gone, leaving a thick, red, oily sauce.
10 minStep 5: Drizzle with the rest of 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and serve warm with bread.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 250 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 13 g
- Fat
- 21 g
- Fibre
- 7 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does tsigareli take?
- About 50 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Is it very spicy?
- It has some heat. Use less chilli for a milder version, or more if you like it hot.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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