Beef Braciole: A Delicious Twist on Classic Italian Comfort Food

26 Jun Beef Braciole: A Delicious Twist on Classic Italian Comfort Food

When it comes to hearty, comforting meals that bring the family together, few dishes are as beloved as Beef Braciole. Featured in Scott Woolley’s Cooking for the Family, this recipe combines tender flank steak rolled with savory bread crumbs, cheese, and herbs, then slow-cooked to perfection in a rich Sunday sauce. It’s the kind of dish that’s perfect for a family dinner or any occasion where you want to impress your guests with something truly special.

Scott Woolley’s Beef Braciole recipe is a labor of love that yields a rich, flavorful result. Here’s why this dish will become a new favorite in your household and how to make it yourself.

The Heart of the Dish: Flavorful Filling and Tender Steak

The beauty of Beef Braciole lies in the combination of a thinly pounded flank steak and the flavorful bread crumb mixture. The filling, made from a blend of Pecorino Romano, provolone, fresh herbs like basil and parsley, garlic, and a touch of olive oil, provides a zesty, savory profile that complements the richness of the beef. It’s hearty yet light enough to let the steak remain the star of the show.

The flank steak is tenderized with a meat mallet, ensuring that every bite is easy to chew. Rolling the steak around the filling and securing it with butcher’s twine transforms it into a neat, flavorful package, perfect for slow cooking.

Slow Cooking: The Secret to Tenderness

Once your Beef Braciole is assembled and browned to perfection, it’s time to slow cook it in a rich Sunday sauce. The sauce simmers for hours, absorbing the flavors from the steak as it cooks, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth experience. The slow cooking process allows the beef to soak up all the flavors from the herbs and sauce, making each bite incredibly tender and packed with flavor.

Perfect for a Family Meal

Beef Braciole is a dish that’s meant to be savored. It’s perfect for a Sunday family dinner or a special occasion. The slow-cooked meat, with its savory filling and rich sauce, is sure to become a crowd favorite.

Pair it with a fresh salad, some crusty bread, and perhaps a glass of wine, and you’ve got the perfect meal to bring everyone around the table. The best part? It’s the kind of dish that gets better with time, so leftovers (if there are any) are just as delicious the next day.

How to Make Scott Woolley’s Beef Braciole

If you’re ready to dive into this mouth-watering recipe, here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound flank steak
• ½ cup bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 cup shredded Pecorino Romano cheese
• ½ cup fresh basil, chopped
• ⅓ cup shredded provolone cheese
• 5 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Butcher’s twine (for tying)

Directions:

1. Prepare the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Pecorino Romano, ½ cup chopped basil, provolone, parsley, 5 minced cloves of garlic, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Stir until everything is well mixed and set aside.
2. Pound the Steak: Lay the flank steak on a cutting board and season both sides with salt and pepper. Cover the steak with a sheet of parchment paper. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound the steak until it is ¼ inch thick.
3. Add the Filling: Remove the parchment paper and sprinkle the bread crumb mixture evenly over the steak, making sure to cover it completely.
4. Roll the Steak: Starting from the bottom, roll the steak into a log shape. Use butcher’s twine to tie up the roll, ensuring it holds its shape while cooking. Season the outside of the roll with salt and pepper.
5. Sear the Meat: Heat canola oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the steak roll. Do not move the roll; cook until a dark brown crust forms on one side, about 3 minutes. Turn the roll and repeat until all sides and the ends are browned. Remove the roll from the pan and set it aside.
6. Slow Cook: Place the seared roll into your prepared Sunday sauce and slow-cook according to the instructions in Cooking for the Family. The longer you cook it, the more flavorful and tender it becomes.

A Dish Worth the Wait

Scott Woolley’s Beef Braciole is the ultimate comfort food – tender, flavorful, and full of hearty ingredients that bring a sense of warmth and satisfaction to the table. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or simply want to treat your family to something special, this recipe is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Slow-cooked in a rich Sunday sauce, the Beef Braciole becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender with every bite. It’s a dish that celebrates traditional Italian cooking while offering a modern, family-friendly twist that anyone can enjoy.

For more mouth-watering recipes like this one, be sure to check out Cooking for the Family by Scott Woolley, where you’ll find a wealth of delicious dishes perfect for every occasion.

Happy cooking!

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