Why Italians Overcook Beef on Purpose

By Chef Billy Parisi · 180 min

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Pat the chuck roast dry, season all sides generously with coarse salt and pepper (about 1 tablespoon salt total), and refrigerate uncovered on a rack for 12 to 48 hours. Skip this if short on time and season before searing instead.
2. Render the pancetta in a large rondeau or enameled pot over low to medium heat until crispy. Remove it with a slotted spoon and leave the fat in the pan.
3. Heat the fat over medium-high until it smokes, then sear the roast 3 to 4 minutes per side until well browned. Set it aside.
4. Add the onion with a little salt and sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes, then lower the heat and cook, stirring now and then, for 10 minutes until well browned.
5. Stir in the celery and carrots and cook over low-medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the edges start to brown. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 to 45 seconds.
6. Deglaze with ½ cup red wine and cook until mostly absorbed. Stir in the tomato paste and cook over low to medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes until it turns rust-coloured.
7. Deglaze with the remaining cup of red wine and reduce until the liquid is halved.
8. Add the beef stock, crushed tomatoes, cooked pancetta, salt, pepper and herbs (tied together with butcher's twine for easy removal). Return the beef to the pot, cover, and cook over low heat or in a 325°F oven for 3 hours, until fork-tender.
9. Remove the beef and set it aside. Strain the sauce into a separate pot and discard the herbs.
10. Blend the strained vegetables and pancetta with 1 cup of the hot stock, venting the blender lid cap, on high until smooth.
11. Return the blended mixture to the pot and cook over low to medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes until thickened. Finish with butter, salt and pepper.
12. Toss the cooked pasta with some of the sauce. Slice the beef whole or into equal pieces and serve alongside. Serving with polenta or risotto is optional.

Summarized from Chef Billy Parisi's video. Watch it for the details.

More recipes with

GarlicOnionTomatoCarrotBeefCeleryTomato pastePasta