Italian Pot Roast (Stracotto)

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A slow braised Italian style pot roast in a tasty tomato sauce.

ingredients:

  • 4 ounces bacon (or pancetta), diced (optional)
  • 3 pounds beef (such as chuck), cut into 3 large pieces
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup onion, diced
  • 1 cup carrot, diced
  • 1 cup celery, diced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 sprig thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh chopped or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 sprig rosemary (or 1 teaspoon fresh chopped or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 bay leaves
  • salt and pepper to taste

directions:

  1. Cook the bacon in a large oven safe saucepan (dutch oven), over medium heat, before setting aside.
  2. Season the beef with salt and pepper and brown in the bacon grease, over medium-high heat, in the pan before setting aside.
  3. Add the onion, carrot, and celery and cook until tender, about 7-10 minutes.
  4. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about a minute.
  5. Add the broth, crushed tomatoes, thyme, rosemary, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, and bacon, and mix before adding the beef.
  6. Either: (1) bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, until the beef is falling apart tender, about 2-4 hours; OR (2) cover, transfer to a preheated to 275F/140C oven and cook until falling apart tender, about 2-4 hours; OR (3) transfer to a slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste, remove the sprigs of thyme, rosemary and bay leaves, and enjoy!

Option: Add 1 ounce of reconstituted dried porcini mushrooms.
Option: Replace some or all of the broth with a dry white or red wine.
Option: Add 2 tablespoons tomato paste along with the garlic.
Option: Add 1 spring sage ( (or 1 teaspoon fresh chopped or ½ teaspoon dried).
Option: Add 1 tablespoon fish sauce.
Option: Add 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar.
Option: Add 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce.
Option: Add 1/4 cup grated parmesan.
Option: Serve over pasta, gnocchi, polenta, mashed potatoes, etc.

Nutrition Facts: Calories 427, Fat 18g (Saturated 7g, Trans 0.5g), Cholesterol 155mg, Sodium 636mg, Carbs 12g (Fiber 2g, Sugars 5g), Protein 55g

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