Beef Braciole Recipe Lidia Bastianich

BRAISED BEEF ROLLS (BRACIOLE DI MANZO)

Steps:

• To make the stuffing: Place the bread cubes and milk into a medium bowl and stir for full coverage. Let soak until bread is very soft (at least 20 minutes).
• Drain the bread, squeeze out the excess milk, and return bread to the bowl. Stir in the chopped egg, parsley, grated cheese, raisins and garlic. Lightly salt and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
• For the beef rolls: With the toothed side of a heavy meat mallet, pound each slice of beef round to a thickness of about 1/4" and about 5 to 6" wide, 6-7" long.
• Top each with a slice of the prosciutto and tap with fingertips to lightly adhere to the beef. Spread 2 to 3 tablespoons of the stuffing over the beef slice, leaving a 1" border around the edges.
• Place one stick of the provolone across the short end on top of the stuffing and fold the short end over the top of it. Fold the side borders in to overlap the edges of the stuffing, then roll the beef into as compact of a tube as possible. Secure the end of flap with one or two toothpicks. Repeat with remaining beef and stuffing. Lightly salt and pepper the rolls.
• Empty the tomatoes into a medium bowl and squeeze them with your hands until they are coarsely crushed, removing the core and ends if there are any.
• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy casserole (I used a dutch oven) over medium heat. When the oil is hot, stir in the onions and garlic and cook until the onions are wilted, about 5 minutes. Add the braciole into a single layer and cook, turning the braciole every 2-3 minutes until all sides are lightly browned, about 7 minutes. Adjust the heat to prevent the beef from scorching.
• Add the wine to the pot and bring to a boil. Cook until most of it has evaporated. Stir in the tomatoes and bring to a boil. Add tomato paste and bay leaves and stir until the paste is dissolved. Season with the red pepper flakes and lightly salt.
• Adjust the heat to very low or simmer setting until the liquid is at a low simmer, adding water as necessary to keep the braciole completely submerged. Allow to simmer uncovered until the beef is tender, about 3 hours, checking, stirring, and turning every 15-20 minutes and adding liquid to cover braciole if needed (use very hot tap water or pasta water).
• Carefully remove the toothpicks before serving (they're hot!). Lidia says the braciole can be prepared up to 2 days in advance, then warmed over low heat until heated through.

BEEF BRACIOLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Pound out the steaks with a meat hammer until they are approximately 1/4-inch thick. Sprinkle each steak with the minced garlic, fresh parsley and Parmigiano-Reggiano, then some salt and pepper. Roll up each steak and secure with toothpicks. Sprinkle the steaks again with pepper. Place steaks in a casserole pan or roasting pan and cover with the vegetable oil. Bake, rotating occasionally to ensure browning on all sides, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Cover steaks with tomato sauce and cover pan with aluminum foil. Place steaks back in the oven and reduce heat to 325 degrees F. Cook until fork tender, about 3 hours. Serve with your favorite pasta.