Kokkinisto with chickpea pasta ( Greek Style Beef Stew in Tomato Sauce

YIELD:

serves 4

ACTIVE TIME: 30 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of quality stewing beef cut in pieces
• 2 small red onions, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1 can of tomato sauce 
• 1 teaspoon tomato paste, dissolved into a teacup of water
• 1/2 cup olive oil 
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• a glass of red wine
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1teaspoon cloves
• a pinch of sugar
• 1 box of chickpea pasta 
• salt and freshly ground pepper

Instructions

1. In a large pot put the meat and add lots of water. Boil the meat until it is tender for about 1 hour. If needed add more water. 
2. Heat a large, deep pot to high heat. Put the onions and the garlic in it. 
3.  Sauté them for 3 minutes, until softened. Pour in the red wine, and cook for 4 more minutes. Add the tomato sauce, the tomato paste, the cinnamon stick, the cloves, the bay leaf, the oregano, the thyme, a pinch of sugar and salt and pepper.
4. As soon as the sauce comes to the boil, add the beef and 1 cup of water and cook for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens. 
5. When done, boil the pasta into another pot, according to package instructions.