I didn’t expect this game to hit so hard; Mafia: The Old Country instantly felt like a classic. The story — while a little predictable — excelled to another level. I cared for these characters, I felt part of the world and may or may not have wiped away a tear when the credits rolled.
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1900’s Sicily has never looked better in the gaming world. Exploring by automobile or horseback, speeding across the dirt roads from wine country to the coast — bellissimo.
Though the map was a little bare, I rarely skipped the drive and just soaked it all in. The standout was the Torrisi mansion and vineyard — the home base of many labourers, maids and members of the mob.
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An early mission sees you lend a hand to the kitchen, with Valentina laying down the law. You sling half a pig over your shoulder and are escorted to the mansion’s kitchen.
After dumping the pig carcass on a counter, I spotted a note on a table — a classic Sicilian recipe, handwritten and translated by the game devs.
Valentina’s Pork Spezzatino
I knew I had to try it in the real world. After all, who could say no to a dish that simmers for five hours, smells like Sunday, and tastes (presumably) like Nonna just made it?
In Mafia: The Old Country, family dinners aren’t just about food — they’re about loyalty (very important), tradition, and maybe a little “business” talk over a glass (or two or three) of red.
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The in-game note was charmingly vague — more “make it with feeling” than a step-by-step guide. It called for pork, potatoes, carrots, a splash of red wine, and a few other essentials, but left the rest to interpretation.
Sorry in advance to all the nonnas
I went with 2kg of pork shoulder — a cut that’s got enough marbling to make it tender after a long sit-down with the stove. Fresh rosemary, brown onions, and a healthy pour of “red” kept things in the family. And yes, I kept the wine bottle close… for the stew… obviously.
Five hours on the stove was a marathon and I had to top it up with stock and a little bit of water a good four or five times. The house smelled incredible.
I used a sauté pan (it’s all I have), though, it probably does better in a larger pot or Dutch oven.
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When it was ready, I served it over tagliatelle — wrong call. Tried it again with a fresh bowl of polenta and it was 1000 times better. The pork fell apart with a fork, and the peas (while my partner won’t agree) added just enough sweetness to balance the richness.
The verdict? It’s a dish worth doing time for. Deep, hearty, and comforting, with the kind of flavour that feels like a warm hug from a family you may or may not owe money to. The perfect winter meal.
Mafia: The Old Country is out now on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam.
Valentina’s Pork Spezzatino Recipe (adjusted slightly)
Serves 8. Cooking time: 5 hours cook, 20 mins prep.
Ingredients:
• Pork, cut into small pieces (2kg pork shoulder)
• 2/3 onions (diced)
• Butter (75 grams)
• Red wine (1 cup / 250ml)
• 4 large potatoes (in chunks .. I used 3 biggies)
• 2 carrots (peeled and diced)
• Bone broth (1 litre)
• 4 cloves garlic (finely chopped or minced)
• Rosemary (a few short sprigs)
• Tomatoes (2 whole tomato’s chopped + 440g tin of whole peeled tomato)
• Peas (1 cup)
Method:
1. Cook the onions and carrots in olive oil (10mins)
2. Add butter and garlic
3. Add the pork, turning every few minutes (brown it in batches)
4. Season (salt and pepper)
5. Add wine – generous pouring
6. Add tomatoes, bone broth and water if needed
7. Then add potatoes
8. Season, leave to cook, covered for 5 hours (or until meat is tender – you may need to keep topping up with stock or water)
9. Stir in peas and leave on stove until cooked through
Serve with fresh polenta or pasta.
A copy of Mafia: The Old Country was supplied to Quest Daily by the publisher.
