Kounoupidi me Patates Kapamas (pr. kou-nou-PEE-dee MEH Pah-TAH-tess Kah-pah-MASS) is a simple vegan Greek Stew with cauliflower and potatoes.
You can also make the dish without the potatoes and serve it as a side dish.
Did you know that in the Middle Ages the British used to call the cauliflower “Cyprus Colewort”?
It is believed that the cauliflower originated in Cyprus, where the oldest record dates from the 6th century b.C.
Cauliflower, arrived in Europe from Cyprus by the Venetians.
It was then introduced to mainland Europe through Italy in the mid-16th century and only when King of France, Louis IV tried it and liked it, it became very popular.
Since then they began to cultivate it, especially in the region of Brittany.
You won’t find many cauliflower recipes on my blog as my children hate it.
When I was in Athens I used to say to myself that once we moved to Nafplio, we΄ll be eating cauliflower much more often and we now do.
What is Kapamas?
Kapamas is a cooking technique, usually with stewed lamb or beef.
In this recipe I substituted the meat with cauliflower and potatoes!
This is one of the recipes my mother used to make quite often.
While I was cooking it the wonderful aroma of cinnamon filled the house and evoked so many beautiful memories.
My mother did not add any wine or garlic to this dish but we love garlic so I added a clove but for some unexplained reason, the last time I started making it, I felt as if the cauliflower was shouting to me in my head: “add some wine, add some wine, add some wine”.
I trusted my instinct and the stew turned out much richer as it contributed a refreshing fruitiness that mingled well with the other ingredients and complimented their flavors.
If you don’t want potatoes, you can still serve it as a main dish (or side if you prefer) but adding the potatoes makes the dish more filling and if you accompany it with some feta and crusty bread to mop up those delicious juices, you will feast like a king 🙂
Kounoupidi me Patates Kapamas (Stewed Cauliflower with Potatoes)
Kounoupidi me Patates Kapamas (pr. kou-nou-PEE-dee MEH Pah-TAH-tess Kah-pah-MASS) is a simple vegan Greek Stew with potatoes. You can also make the dish without the potatoes and serve it as a side dish.
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 medium potatoes
- 1 ½ kilos cauliflower
- 1 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1tin tomato passata
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- Salt and freshly ground black Pepper
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 organic vegetable bouillon
- ½ cup dry red wine
- Water to cover
Instructions
- Wash and cut the cauliflower and potatoes in smaller pieces.
- Heat the olive oil in a nonstick frying pan.
- Fry the potatoes on both sides. Remove them in a pot and do the same with the cauliflower. If necessary add more olive oil.
- After removing the cauliflower sauté the onion until soft and add garlic. Add the wine and wait a few minutes until the alcohol evaporates. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper and cinnamon as well as the vegetable bouillon.
- Mix and when it comes to a boil transfer it into the pot. Add water to cover it and cover the pot with the lid.
- Lower heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about half an hour to 45 minutes.
- Remove the lid and simmer until sauce thickens without overcooking it.
- Serve with freshly grated black pepper on top (optional).
Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 468Total Fat 29gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 24gCholesterol 0mgSodium 280mgCarbohydrates 43gFiber 13gSugar 13gProtein 11g
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You can find many more Greek recipes in my cookbook “More Than A Greek Salad”, and “Mint, Cinnamon & Blossom Water, Flavours of Cyprus, Kopiaste!” both available on all Amazon stores.
Other relevant recipes:
Kounoupidi me Hylo (fried battered cauliflower)
Kopiaste and Kali Orexi,
Simona
Wednesday 14th of May 2014
Very nice: I like the combination of cauliflower and tomatoes.
TasteofBeirut
Tuesday 6th of May 2014
wonderful dish! so glad to discover another way to cook this veggie which we love here as well.
Anna's Kitchen Table
Tuesday 6th of May 2014
I love dishes like this Ivy! Real family food :)
Rosa
Monday 5th of May 2014
Delicious! Two of my favorite vegetables.
Cheers,
Rosa
Helen Walsh
Monday 5th of May 2014
Interesting. I've never cooked the cauliflower greens with the cauliflower...flower (?) before. I do enjoy Greek stew-like dishes. They were the best part of my mom's cooking.
Ivy
Monday 5th of May 2014
Hi Helen and thanks for commenting. When the cauliflower is small and the leaves are very tender, I use them as they are delicious.