Turli Tava
Turli Tava
Vibrant, satisfying, one dish, no fuss… the dinner of your dreams. Turli Tava is the ultimate variety dish with a bit of this and a bit of that that makes this a favorite especially in Spring when vegetables are most tender and sweet. Who could resist a bite bursting with so much color and flavor in one place?
I used baby vegetable to cut down on prep time, but regular veggies are just as tasty! Feel free to tailor the vegetables to your preferences or what’s freshest at the market. The addition of okra is traditional, but I skipped since it’s not a favorite around here.
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb beef cubes (any cut suitable for stew)
1 tsp vegeta
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup each (bite size pieces): onions, potato, carrot, wax beans, zucchini, eggplant, tomato, sweet peppers, green peas
3-4 cloves garlic
1 tsp salt
1 c water
1 tbsp chopped parsley
Directions
In an oven save dish combine oil, beef, vegeta, black pepper, tomato paste until beef is well coated. The tomato paste helps tenderize the beef and add richness to the final “sauce” of the dish.
Toss in “heavier” vegetables first (onion, potatoes, carrots) they’ll cook more evenly and absorb more flavor at the bottom of the dish. Then toss in wax beans, zucchini, eggplant, tomato, peppers, green peas, and garlic.
Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt over the vegetable to season.
Pour 1 cup of water evenly over the dish. It’ll help the beef cook evenly and gently steam vegetables while in the oven. The goal is for the veggies to cook through but keep their shape.
Sprinkle parsley evenly over veggies.
Cover dish with parchment paper first, then aluminum foil. The double layer will prevent heat and moisture from escaping while the Turli Tava cooks gently in the oven.
Bake covered at 350 degrees for 2 hours. Oven temperatures and cut of meat may vary cooking time. For the best texture and to keep veggies intact, resist mixing the dish while it cooks. When check for doneness, meat should be soft and fork tender. Cook longer if needed.
Enjoy! Tag me on IG if you try it @balkanbasics
