Beef Braciole

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chopsaw

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Dec 14, 2013
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OFallon Mo.
Did this last Sunday , as the second meal from the sirloin I used to make the sandwich .
Recipe I used for the filling :
3 TBL olive oil
5 cloves garlic
2 tsp lemon zest
1/3 cup chopped basil ( I used pesto on the slices )
1/3 cup parsley
1/3 cup pecorino
1/3 cup bread crumbs
3 oz. fontina cheese ( I used Provolone slices )
Sliced Prosciutto

I use a chef's knife to process the garlic cloves .
Smash the clove with the side of the knife , and the peel comes right off .
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Makes fast work of it . Only 5 more to go .
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Grate the zest ,
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Don't need to see much more of that . Here's the filling put together
minus the chopped basil .
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Steaks were already pounded out and seasoned up a few days before .
Warming up on the counter .
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Steaks warming , I clean up from making the filling .
Then get everything staged for rolling .
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I used a jarred pesto in place of the chopped basil in the filling .
It actually worked better as it added more flavor .
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Then the filling .
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Cheese ,
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Then a slice of Prosciutto
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Rolled up , seam on the bottom .
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Made a holder for my twine some time ago . Works out great .
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I make the string about 4 X's the length of what I'm tieing .
Tie the first section off . Then make a loop and cinch it on the other end .
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Roll over and tie the 2 tag ends underneath , or just cut multiple strings .
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My 4 qt Dutch was to small , so I used my Son's ceramic .
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Did it in 2 batches .
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Never had luck with the coated cast iron . Doesn't sear good in my opinion .
Flavor is in the pot though .
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For the sauce :
Chopped onion
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes . ( I used a chili paste )
5 cloves garlic
Tomato paste , browned up
1 cup dry red wine
28 oz. crushed tomatoes
2 cups beef broth . ( I used Orrington farms powdered beef base )


Add the tomato paste and the onions . Hoping to get the junk off the bottom
without adding liquid , but had to add some beef broth .
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I've been buying the large can of legit whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes .
Spinning then up and vac sealing in 1 qt. Mason jars , then storing in the fridge .
Great flavor profile .
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Beef goes back in ,
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Add the liquids , and some dried Basil .
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Lid it up and into a 325 degree oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours .
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The original recipe uses flank steak . So it needs longer cooking time .
I adjusted for sirloin , and took a look at 2 hours , because that's when I smelled it cooking .
Doesn't look so good , but smells great .
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Pull the rolls ,
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Skim the grease and onto the stove top to simmer ,
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Get the pasta ready . I had dough mixed up , but last thing I needed at that point was another job , and another mess .
So We tend to have some higher end store bought pasta in the pantry .
Look for the stuff cut with a bronze die . Leaves a rough texture on the pasta , that really holds the sauce .
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End result after simmering and thickening up .

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OK ,, Sauce , or gravy ?
IF , you have Italian running through your veins and went to Nonni's house for Sunday supper and grew up calling it gravy ,
by all means , Celebrate your heritage .

IF , you watched all 6 seasons of the Soprano's and the spaghetti sauce of your youth is all of sudden " Red gravy " ,,,
No ,,, don't .

So to me , I'll call it sauce . However , what's in that pot is closer to a gravy than a sauce .
Certainly needs a designation of it's own .

This was a fantastic meal . A lot of work , but worth it .
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Added a salad and some Italian bread .
Pasta had great chew to it , and all the flavors were spot on .
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This will happen again for sure .
Wife's family on her Dad's side are full Italian . Had some of the best food of my life at her Aunt's house .
They called it " The Sauce " , not gravy , but " The " means something here . Shows something special , and it's " theirs " past down through that family . She cooked all the meats in stages in the sauce . Sausage , meatballs and spiedini . So good .
Thanks for lookin' .
 
Last edited:
Great looking food and write up Rich!! I'll have to trya spin on this with chicken and shirataki noodles.
 
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Excellent job!
Looks like you spent as much time writing it up as you did making it.
You have a talent for making excellent meals. :emoji_thumbsup:
 
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My Mom would make a large version, stuff it with hard boiled egg and salami. It would go into the "Sunday" sauce and stew overnight, So tender, juicy!!

RG
 
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Can almost smell the aroma here
Oh yeah , smelled great . The sauce was insane .
I'll have to trya spin on this with chicken and shirataki noodles.
I bet that would be killer . I have a bunch of pork loin I got on sale . gonna do a version with that .
Probably bread and fry those . Add to the sauce at the end .
 
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My Mom would make a large version, stuff it with hard boiled egg and salami.
I saw the larger versions , and the use of salami and eggs . Sounds awesome . I thought about adding some salami , but wanted to try as listed . Next time for sure .
Dang Rich! This looks delicious!
Thanks bud . It was . Has that legit Italian depth of flavor to it .
And I'm stealing your butcher twine idea!
That thing works great . That way you don't get messy hands on the roll .
 
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Thats wonderful Rich. Looks like it took some work but paid off.
I did a lot of the prep work early too . Worth it though , just have to plan for it .
I got that same pot. Not good at all to sear! I just use another than transfer.
That's what I've been doing too , but wanted the Dutch oven for the long cook .
I have the Revere ware but don't like putting it in the oven with the handles , even though they say you can .

I love that recipe! It was my Uncle's favorite!!
Keith , it was really good . I normally brown my sausages , then cook them in sauce to finish .
My homemade has a ton of flavor that transfers to the sauce . This was a step up from that .
Sounds like the Uncle was eatin' good !
 
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GREAT WRITE UP AND A RUNNIN TON OF FINE WORK INVOLVED THERE RICH! WE ALWAYS SAID "SAUCE" THO I CAN'T RECALL NONI USING EITHER TERM, ENGLISH WAS NEVER A STRONG POINT, HER FOOD SPOKE FOR ITSELF. RAY
 
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That looks amazing! I havent made it in years, now I really want some!
 
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GREAT WRITE UP AND A RUNNIN TON OF FINE WORK INVOLVED THERE RICH!
Thanks Ray ! I know you know . Lol .
CAN'T RECALL NONI USING EITHER TERM, ENGLISH WAS NEVER A STRONG POINT, HER FOOD SPOKE FOR ITSELF.
I bet it did . Those were the days . Mine never said much , and it was better that way . Because if she was talkin' you were most likely in trouble . Lol .
 
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