Join us for a virtual cook along March 10th! Bucatini alla Carbonara!

Brasato al Vino Rosso

Red Wine Braised Beef is a simple “set it and forget it” kind of meal. We love to serve this with polenta and our Cipollini in agrodolce. This recipe is also great with Lamb or Pork. Shred any leftover meat into some sauce and toss it with pasta for a primi al ragu’ the next day!

Ready to serve in: 4 hours
Active time: 45 minutes
Serves: 4-6 Adults

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs Beef, Pork or Lamb for braising - Shanks (in the picture), Brisket, Shoulder Clod or ask your butcher for their favorite
  • 1 bottle - 750 ml of Dry Red wine (if you wouldn’t enjoy drinking a glass of this wine you probably shouldn’t cook with it: our favorite cooking red wines are the Bota Box wines available at most coops or stores).
  • 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 1 sprig of Rosemary
  • 4 sprigs of Thyme
  • 8 oz Cipolline in Agrodolce to serve
  • Parmesan Polenta or Saffron  Risotto to serve (recipes coming soon)

Method

  1. Season the meat generously with salt and pepper on all sides. Allow to sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes (this can also be done the night before).
  2. Choose a casserole or cast iron pot where the meat barely fits in one layer. Preheat the oven to 300*F.
  3. In a cast iron or heavy oven safe casserole dish add the vegetable oil. Allow the oil to get hot over medium high heat. Sear all sides of the meat until golden brown, working in batches if necessary to not crowd the pan, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove the meat from the casserole and set aside.
  4. Drain off the excess oil and turn the heat to medium-low. Deglaze the pot with the red wine, scrapping all of the tasty bits stuck to the sides with a wooden spoon. Bring to medium heat and allow the red wine to reduce by 1/3, for about 10 minutes. The wine should no longer smell alcoholic but more fruity and jammy. If it is burning your nose reduce it a little further.
  5. Nestle the meat back into the pot. Add the rosemary and thyme. Top off with enough water to just cover the meat: you may need to weigh it down to do this. Place a piece of parchment on top and then an oven safe plate to keep it submerged. Cover the casserole with a lid or foil.
  6. Braise the meat in the oven until fork tender, this will vary greatly depending on the cut and your oven but it will average 2.5-3.5 hours.
  7. Once fork tender, remove the meat from the cooking liquid, gently tear/split it into chunks and place the liquid back on the stove. Reduce the liquid until it coats the back of a spoon, for about 15 minutes. Season with salt and sherry or balsamic vinegar. Place the meat back into the thicken liquid and glaze it.
  8. Serve over polenta and with Cipolline in agrodolce! Buon Appetito.

Recipe Notes:

Suggested Wine Pairing: Nebbiolo is our favorite grape with this dish but any full bodied, medium to high tannic wine with a good acidity is the game. Paolo Manzone makes delicious Barolo wines full of rich jammy red and black fruits, floral and fragrant rose character as well as a balsamic spice note that we think pair beautifully with this dish. Other wines we love are Nebbiolos from Valtelina Superiore, Sangiovese from Brunello di Montalcino or a Valpolicella wine from Veneto. 

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