Beef Braciole Recipe 455

BEEF BRACIOLE RECIPE

Steps:

• Cut top-round slices in half widthwise so that you have 12 equal pieces. Place beef between two pieces of plastic wrap. Gently pound to 1/4 to 1/8-inch thickness.
• Mince 4 cloves of garlic; slice the remaining 8 cloves.
• Combine minced garlic, parsley, cheese, breadcrumbs, salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Place a prosciutto slice over the beef then sprinkle filling evenly over the proscuitto.
• Roll the beef into a cylinder, tucking in the sides to hold in the filling as you roll. Secure with toothpicks.
• Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Place the beef rolls, seam side down in the pot and brown seam side first to seal it. Cook, turning the meat occasionally until each roll is nicely browned on all sides. Transfer to a plate.
• Add the wine and the sliced garlic. Bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Add beef broth, tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Place beef rolls back in the pot and bring back to a simmer.
• Cover and cook on low heat, turning occasionally until beef is tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 1 1/2 hours. Alternately, cook covered in a 325-degree oven for 1 1/2-2 hours or in a slow cooker for 3-4 hours on high, 5-6 hours on medium or 7-8 hours on low.
• To thicken, place pot back on the stove if cooked in the oven. Remove some of the hot cooking liquid to a bowl. Add the flour and stir until smooth to create a slurry. Slowly add it to the hot cooking liquid, bring to a slow simmer and cook until thickened.
• Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove toothpicks and serve over pasta with additional grated cheese if desired.

BEEF BRACIOLE

Steps:

• Whisk together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, chopped basil and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper in a medium bowl. Add 4 tablespoons of the olive oil to a small bowl. Grate 3 cloves of garlic into the olive oil and whisk to combine. Pour the olive oil mixture into the breadcrumb mixture and fluff with a fork until the mixture is evenly combined and resembles wet sand.
• Arrange one slice of beef on a clean work surface. Top with 1 slice of prosciutto, folding if necessary to fit the slice of meat. Top the prosciutto with 2 tablespoons of the breadcrumb mixture and press slightly to compact it. Fold in the side edges of the beef about a 1/4 inch. Starting from the bottom, roll up the beef like a jelly roll, creating a cylinder. Secure the opening with 2 toothpicks. Place the finished roll on a rimmed baking sheet and continue the process with the remaining meat, prosciutto and breadcrumb mixture. Once all the meat is rolled, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
• Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil to a large high-sided pan and heat over medium. Once the oil is shimmering add the beef rolls, in batches, being sure not to overcrowd the pan. Brown on both sides, about 2 minutes. Remove to the rimmed baking sheet and brown the remaining rolls.
• Once all the rolls have been browned and removed from the pan, add the red wine. Cook, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan, until the harsh alcohol smell burns off and the wine slightly reduces, about 2 minutes. Next, add the tomatoes, basil sprigs, red pepper flakes, 1/4 teaspoon salt and the remaining 2 cloves of garlic. Stir to combine. Add 1/2 cup water to the can of tomatoes and swirl it around to clean any residual tomato from the sides of the can. Add the tomato water to the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then add the rolls back to the pan and turn the heat down to low. Baste the meat in the tomato sauce, cover the pan and cook on low, basting the meat 2 to 3 times during the cooking process, until the meat is very tender, 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
• To serve, remove the toothpicks from the rolls and serve topped with red sauce and freshly grated Parmesan.

THE ULTIMATE BEEF BRACIOLE

Steps:

• 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 tomatoe puree, turn heat to low and cook at a simmer until beef is tender 1 1/2-2 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.