Braciole Recipe
Introduction:
Braciole, pronounced as “brajole,” is a delightful Italian dish that brings warmth and flavor to your table. If you’ve ever watched “Everybody Loves Raymond,” you might recall this dish being a point of contention between characters. Now, you can recreate it at home and decide for yourself who makes it better!
Overview:
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Calories per Serving: 910.9
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 | Top round beef |
| 2 tbsp | Dried parsley |
| 1 | Pine nuts |
| 1/2 bulb | Garlic |
| 1/2 tsp | Fennel seeds |
| 2 slices | Prosciutto di Parma |
| 4 tbsp | Currants |
| 1/2 cup | Raisins |
| 1 | Egg |
| 1/4 tsp | Ground black pepper |
| 1 cup | Parmesan cheese |
| 8 slices | Mozzarella cheese |
| 3/4 cup | Fontina cheese |
| 3-4 tbsp | Extra virgin olive oil |
| 2 tsp | Sugar |
| – | Salt (to taste) |
| – | Marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought) |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Beef:
- Ask your butcher to pound the beef slices thin, or if you’re doing it at home, place a slice between waxed paper and pound it yourself using a heavy skillet or mallet until thin.
-
-
Make the Filling:
- In a bowl, combine dried parsley, pine nuts, minced garlic, fennel seeds, prosciutto di Parma, currants, raisins, beaten egg, ground black pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly.
-
Add Bread and Cheese:
- Once the filling is well mixed, add pieces of bread and mix lightly. Cut each beef slice in half, making 4 pieces. Top each piece with 2 slices of mozzarella or fontina cheese and 2 slices of prosciutto di Parma.
-
Roll Up:
- Roll up each piece tightly, folding in the sides as you go, similar to rolling an egg roll. Secure the rolls with kitchen twine or wooden toothpicks.
-
Brown the Braciole:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Brown the beef rolls on all sides until they develop a golden crust.
-
Simmer in Marinara Sauce:
- Transfer the browned braciole rolls to a pot and cover them with marinara sauce. Cover the pot with a lid and simmer for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
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Serve:
- Once cooked, slice the braciole diagonally and slightly larger pieces crosswise. Alternatively, serve them whole. Plate up with your favorite sides and enjoy the savory flavors of this classic Italian dish!
Tips:
- For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine to your marinara sauce.
- If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought marinara sauce, but homemade sauce adds a unique touch.
- Serve the braciole with mashed potatoes, polenta, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Don’t forget to remove the kitchen twine or toothpicks before serving to avoid any surprises at the table!
- Experiment with different cheeses or add herbs like basil or oregano to customize the dish to your taste preferences.
Braciole is a dish that’s sure to impress your family and friends with its tender beef, flavorful filling, and rich marinara sauce. Enjoy the satisfaction of creating a classic Italian masterpiece in your own kitchen! ๐๐ฎ๐น
