Afelia (Cypriot Pork Braised in Red Wine and Coriander)
Local name: Αφέλια
In short: Cubes of pork marinated in red wine and crushed coriander seed, then browned and braised slowly until tender in a glossy, fragrant sauce. It takes about 1 h 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 1 h 20 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 1 h 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 540 kcal
Afelia is one of the signature dishes of Cypriot home cooking: pork cooked in red wine with plenty of crushed coriander seed. The seeds smell warm and slightly citrusy, and they give the sauce its distinctive flavor. Cooks marinate the pork first, then brown it and let it simmer until the wine reduces into a glossy sauce. It is served with fried potatoes, cracked wheat pilaf (pourgouri) or plain bread to catch every drop.
Instructions
- Toss the pork with the first measure of wine, the crushed coriander and the pepper in a bowl. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- Lift the pork from the marinade, saving the liquid, and pat the cubes dry. Heat the oil in a heavy pot over high heat and brown the pork in two batches, about 5 minutes per batch.
- Return all the pork to the pot. Add the saved marinade, the second measure of wine, the water and the salt. Bring to a boil, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom.
- Cover, lower the heat and simmer gently for 45 minutes, until the pork is tender.
- Uncover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes more, stirring now and then, until the liquid reduces to a glossy sauce that coats the meat.
- Taste for salt and serve hot with potatoes, pourgouri or bread.
Tips
- Crush the coriander seeds just before using, with a mortar or the flat side of a knife. Ground powder tastes flat, and whole seeds give up little flavor.
- Use a dry red wine. A sweet or fortified wine makes the sauce too sugary.
Questions and answers
Can I make afelia ahead of time?
Yes. The flavor deepens after a day. Refrigerate for up to 4 days and reheat gently with a splash of water.
Can I use white wine instead of red?
You can, and some cooks do. Red wine gives a deeper color and a rounder flavor, while white wine tastes lighter and sharper.
What do you serve with afelia?
Fried or boiled potatoes, pourgouri (cracked wheat pilaf) or bread. A tomato and cucumber salad cuts the richness.
How long does it take to make Afelia (Cypriot Pork Braised in Red Wine and Coriander)?
About 1 h 35 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 1 h 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Afelia (Cypriot Pork Braised in Red Wine and Coriander)?
About 540 kcal per serving, with 43 g of protein, 2 g of carbohydrates and 38 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 540 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 43 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Fat | 38 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
