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Beef Braised in Chianti
Menu Plan for the week of Oct. 11, 2013: Day 2 Recipes
Beef Braised in Chianti
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
White Balsamic Glazed Carrots
Cooking time: 5 hours, broken up Cooking schedule: see below for instructions
The Beef is easy, and doesn't actually take much time - it's just spread out. You could do the beef in a slow-cooker, or slow oven (300F, 150C) for 5 or 6 or 7 hours.
Beef Braised in ChiantiPreparation and cooking time: 4:40 hours broken into 3 stages Night before: 10 minutes
Afternoon of: 20 minutes Braising time: 4 hours plus 10 minutes to finish
I love doing long-cooking, wine-infused, meat in the cool months. It's a wonderful way to get the most out of 'cheap cuts' and, usually it's the cheap, flavorful cuts that we want. They have the most flavor and get meltingly tender. I always plan for leftovers.
32oz (960gr) beef roast, chuck or rump, suitable for stewing or braising
1 medium onion
1 carrot
1 rib celery
2 bay (laurel) leaves
1 tbs juniper berries
1 tsp black peppercorns whole black pepper
1 bottle Chianti - a lesser version of what you want to drink, if possible
1 tbs olive oil
4oz (120gr) mushrooms
15oz (450gr) whole tomatoes
3 tbs cornstarch dissolved in 3 tbs water or reserved marinade
The night before: Remove any big chunks of fat from beef, cut into large pieces, about 3" (8cm). Put the beef into a bowl just large enough to hold it. Slice the onion, carrot and celery and add to beef. Add the bay leaves, juniper berries and peppercorns. Pour enough of the red wine over to completely cover the beef, cover the bowl and refrigerate at least 12 hours. (24 or 36 is okay).
The afternoon of: 4 1/2 hours before dinner take the meat out of the marinade and let drain, reserving all of the marinade. Heat oil in the braising pot. Add beef and brown well, about 15 minutes total. Strain the vegetables, reserving marinade. Add vegetables to the beef. Open and drain the tomatoes. Roughly chop the tomatoes and add to beef. Clean mushrooms. Roughly chop and add to beef. Add 1/2 of the reserved marinade, cover, reduce heat and let simmer, gently, for 4 hours. Check it periodically and add more reserved marinade as needed and / or wine as needed. It should almost cover the beef. I used all but about 1 cup.
Finishing: Remove beef from pan and keep warm. Strain vegetables, reserving wine/pan juices. Skim off any excess fat if you can (use a spoon or fat separator), then put juices in a saucepan. Heat juices to boiling. Slowly add cornstarch mixture to thicken. You probably won't need all of it so stop periodically and let it cook to test consistency. Remove bay leaves from vegetables and discard. Add reserved vegetables to saucepan and heat through. Arrange some of the beef on a platter. Spoon some sauce around and serve, extra sauce on the side.
I always make enough to use in another meal - patties, or shepherd's Pie, or something....
2 medium potatoes, (24oz, 720gr)
2 cloves garlic
1 tbs butter
1 - 2 tbs milk or cream
1/4 tsp salt
Peel potatoes and cut into quarters. Put potatoes in medium saucepan and add just enough water to cover. Add salt and cover. Bring to a boil over medium heat. When boiling (and pay attention or they will boil over) reduce heat and take cover partially off. Continue cooking until done, 20 - 25 minutes. They should be very done, easily coming apart when poked with a fork.
When done, drain and put back on the heat 10 seconds or so to evaporate any excess moisture. Mash with a potato masher (or fork if you don't have one) Add enough of the garlic/milk mixture to get your desired consistency. If, after adding all of it, the potatoes are still too stiff just add more milk.
Garlic Milk
While potatoes are cooking mince or press the garlic. Heat butter in a small pan over medium-low heat. Sauté garlic until soft, being careful not to let it brown. When tender add the milk. Keep warm until ready to use in the potatoes.
White Balsamic Glazed Carrots Preparation and cooking time: 30 minutesA bit of sugar emphasizes the natural sweetness of the carrots.
2 - 3 medium carrots
1/4 cup (2oz, 60ml) chicken stock
2 tsp butter
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp white Balsamic vinegar
Peel carrots and roll cut - that is cut the end off of the carrot at an angle, roll carrot 1/4 turn and cut next piece about 3/4 inch away at an angle, roll 1/4 and cut next piece, etc. This gives you interesting looking pieces with lots of surface. Put carrots in small skillet, add stock and cook, covered, 15 - 20 minutes or until vegetables are done. Remove cover, turn heat to medium-high and cook off all but 1 tbs of liquid. Add butter, vinegar and sugar, stirring to dissolve sugar. Sauté until thick and glazed, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Serve.
Cooking Schedule: 5 hours, broken up |
**Checking beef in an hour or two not necessary |
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