Beef Braciole

http://www.italianchef.com/braciole.html

This is a great dish to make on a wintery Sunday afternoon. Ricotta Gnocchi is a great accompaniment to this dish . Just follow steps 1 thru 6 of our Gnocchi di Ricotta Alla Romana recipe to make the pasta. When the braciole are almost done cooking, bring a pot of water to a boil add some salt and the gnocchi, and cook until the gnocchi float to the top. Drain the gnocchi, put back in the pot, add some of the sauce from the braciole and stir up. Serve the gnocchi with the braciole, spooning braciole sauce on top. In the absence of the gnocchi, any pasta such as ziti, penne, or rigatoni can be substituted.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless beef round, cut into 4 thin slices approximately 1/3 inch thick
• 4 slices of prosciutto
• 1 tablespoon pignoli beans(pine nuts)
• 2 tablespoons grated pecorino romano cheese
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 28oz cans imported Italian tomatoes
• 1/4 cup tomato puree
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped fine
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped fine
• 2 celery stalks, chopped chopped fine
• 1 cup dry red wine
• flour spread on a plate for dredging
• salt & pepper to taste

Method:

• Place each slice of beef between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pound with a meat pounder until 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle with salt & pepper. Lay a slice of prosciutto on each one and sprinkle evenly with with the pignoli beans, pecorino romano cheese, garlic and parsley. Roll up the slices, tucking in the ends and tie with kitchen string.
• Heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Dredge the braciole in flour shaking off any excess, then place in the pan. Cook until browned on all sides, about 15 minutes.
• Heat the other 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring until tender but not browned, about 10 minutes. Add braciole, bay leaves, and salt & pepper.
• Add red wine and cook until most of liquid evaporates, about 2 minutes. Pass the tomatoes, with their juices through a food mill or sieve into the saucepan. Fill one of the tomato cans 1/2 way with water and add to saucepan. Add tomato puree, turn heat to low and cook at a simmer until beef is tender 1.5 - 2 hours.
• Sprinkle the basil over the rolls, and cook for 2 minutes longer. Transfer to serving plates, spoon the sauce over the top and serve at once.