Recipe Name  Beef Braciole

Beef Braciole, stuffed beef rolls slowly simmered in tomato sauce

• 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

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped fine

• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped fine

• 2 celery stalks, chopped chopped fine

• 1 cup dry red wine

• 2 28oz cans imported Italian tomatoes

• 2 bay leaves

• 3 fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces

• flour spread on a plate for dredging

• salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Place each slice of beef between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pound with a meat pounder until 1/4 inch thick.

2. Sprinkle with salt & pepper. Lay a slice of prosciutto on each one.

3. Mix together the the pignoli beans, pecorino romano cheese, garlic and parsley and sprinkle evenly on top of the beef slices with prosciutto. Roll up the slices, tucking in the ends and tie with kitchen string.

4. Heat the olive oil in a large sauce 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. Remove from pan with a slotted spoon and keep to the side.

5. If needed add some more olive oil to the pan then add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring until tender but not browned, about 10 minutes.

6. Add the red wine and cook, stirring up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan until reduced by half, about 2 minutes.

7. Crush the tomatoes with your hands and add, with their juices, into the saucepan. Fill one of the tomato cans 1/2 way with water and pour in. Add the bay leaves and season with salt and pepper.

8. Place the braciole back into the sauce, turn heat to low and cook at a simmer until beef is tender 1.5 – 2 hours.

9. 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.