Romanian "Limba cu Masline" – Beef Tongue Stewed with Olives 🇷🇴🍛
🥩 Limba cu Masline is a traditional Romanian dish featuring tender beef tongue simmered in a rich tomato-olive sauce. This hearty and flavorful dish pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread. If cooked properly, beef tongue becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender—making this dish a must-try!
Ingredients
Cooking the Beef Tongue & Stock:
- 2 lbs beef tongue
- 1 onion
- 2 medium carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- 1-2 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp kosher salt (or to taste)
- 8-12 cups water
Cooking Tongue in Sauce:
- 1 + ½ lbs cooked beef tongue, sliced
- 4 tbsp oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3-4 tbsp tomato paste (I used 4)
- 2 tbsp flour (or GF thickener)
- 3 cups beef tongue stock (can substitute some with wine)
- 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 2-3 bay leaves
- 2 tsp fresh thyme (cimbru, optional)
- 1 cup olives (pitted Kalamata preferred)
Instructions
Cook the Beef Tongue
- Wash the beef tongue thoroughly.
- Place in a pressure cooker or regular pot along with onion, carrots, celery, garlic, salt, and water to cover.
- Pressure Cooker: Cook on high until pressure is reached, then lower heat and cook for 30-40 minutes.
- Regular Pot: Simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the skin easily peels off.
- Peel the tongue while warm (use a knife if needed).
- Strain the stock and slice the tongue into pieces.
Prepare the Sauce
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and sauté until soft (about 15 minutes).
- In a cup, mix tomato paste, flour, and 1 cup of stock. Stir well.
- Remove skillet from heat and stir in the tomato paste mixture.
- Gradually add the remaining 2 cups of stock (replace some with wine if desired).
- Add sliced beef tongue, olives, sliced garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns.
- Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes.
Final Touches & Serving
- Season with salt & pepper as needed.
- If needed, thicken sauce using a flour/water slurry.
- Just before serving, squeeze fresh lemon juice and sprinkle with fresh parsley or chives.
Notes
A Deliciously Tender and Flavorful Romanian Dish!
If you've never tried beef tongue before, you might be raising an eyebrow. But trust me—when prepared correctly, it transforms into an incredibly tender and flavorful dish, much like a high-end cut of steak! In Romania, one of the most beloved ways to cook it is in a rich tomato sauce with olives. This traditional dish, known as "Limba cu Masline," is comforting, hearty, and absolutely delicious—especially when served over creamy mashed potatoes. 🥔🤤Why You Should Try This Dish 👀
- Tender & Flavorful: When cooked properly, beef tongue is melt-in-your-mouth tender and packed with beefy richness.
- Budget-Friendly: Often more affordable than other cuts of meat, especially in certain areas.
- Cultural Experience: This dish has been enjoyed for generations in Romania and is similar in concept to Mexican tacos de lengua.
- Versatile Serving Options: Pair it with mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, crusty bread, or even quinoa.
😍 Enjoy!
Serve hot with your choice of mashed potatoes, pasta, or crusty bread. The rich tomato sauce with olives pairs beautifully with the tender beef tongue, making this a unique and delicious meal to impress your guests or enjoy as a comforting homemade dish. 🇷🇴🍽️ More Romanian recipes