Indulge in the culinary heritage of Boston's North End with our exploration of the iconic Sunday Gravy. This hearty and flavorful dish, also known as Italian-American ragù, is a labor of love, simmering for hours to create a rich and complex sauce that brings families and friends together. Our comprehensive guide features three distinct recipes, each with its own unique twist on this classic dish.
The first recipe, "Nonna's Sunday Gravy," is a traditional rendition that has been passed down through generations. It features a combination of ground beef, pork, and sausage, slow-cooked in a savory tomato sauce infused with aromatic herbs and spices.
The second recipe, "Sunday Gravy with Braised Short Ribs," elevates the dish with melt-in-your-mouth short ribs that are braised until tender and fall off the bone. The rich flavors of the beef meld perfectly with the tangy tomato sauce, creating a luxurious and satisfying gravy.
Finally, our "Sunday Gravy with Meatballs" adds a delightful twist with homemade meatballs that are simmered in the sauce until they are plump and tender. The combination of textures and flavors in this recipe is sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Whether you prefer a classic approach or enjoy exploring new variations, our collection of Sunday Gravy recipes has something for every palate. Gather your loved ones around the table and embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the traditions and flavors of Boston's North End.
NORTH END SUNDAY GRAVY
Everyone, I know, has a recipe for gravy that was made by their Italian grandmother and everyone will tell you their family's sauce is the best. This sauce is an adaptation from "The North End Italian Cookbook" by Marguerite DiMino Buonopane. The North End is Boston's Italian neighborhood and the author was celebrated as one of it's best cooks. I thought the original recipe had too much meat and not enough tomato, so I changed those proportions a bit. I don't know if this is as good as your grandmother's but the last time I made this my father and brother-in-law sat down with a bowl of sauce and bread for dipping and finished the entire loaf. The meatballs are from Dom Deluise's cookbook and really are the best I've ever had.
Provided by owensjo
Categories Pork
Time 4h30m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- Fry beef and pork in 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large saucepot.
- Remove meats as they brown and add another 1/4 cup oil to the juices in the pan.
- Saute the onion, garlic, and 2 pinches each of the seasonings until the onion is transparent.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until the paste melts into the oil. This is called "Italian roux".
- Stir in an extra couple of pinches of the seasonings. Add the tomatoes and blend.
- Fill the two tomato cans with water and add water until the sauce is as thick as you like it. Remember the sauce is going to cook down.
- Let the sauce come to a boil and add salt and pepper and an additional 2 pinches of seasonings.
- Return the meat to the pan and simmer, uncovered, for 2 hours. Stir every 15 minutes or so using a wooden spoon.
- Brown the sausages in some olive oil and add to sauce with sugar to taste. Simmer another hour.
- Make meatballs and either fry in oil or bake in oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Add to sauce.
- Cook for an additional hour. Add water as it cooks if you think it needs it, but you should have a sauce that doesn't separate on the plate.
- Remove meats and let sauce settle for a few minutes until fat rises to the top. Skim as much fat as possible from the sauce. The less fat it contains, the better the sauce.
- This sauce freezes beautifully.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 533, Fat 38.3, SaturatedFat 12.7, Cholesterol 112.8, Sodium 724.2, Carbohydrate 20.6, Fiber 3.5, Sugar 8.6, Protein 27.7
SUNDAY GRAVY
Provided by Food Network
Time 4h
Yield 10 cups
Number Of Ingredients 28
Steps:
- In a casserole or stockpot, combine the ribs with enough cold water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes. Drain. In a 10-quart casserole set over moderate heat, warm the oil and cook the onions and garlic, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Add the ribs, braciole, and sausage and cook until they're browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes, herbs, and salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour. Add the meatballs and cook for 1 to 1 1/2 hours more. The longer the cooking time, the more concentrated the gravy will be. When the gravy is almost done, cook the pasta according to the package directions, until al dente. Drain. Remove all of the meat from the sauce and put on a platter. Pour some of the sauce into a gravy boat to serve on the side. Add the pasta to the remaining sauce and toss with a little oil.
- Braciole (Stuffed Meat Rolls): Season the meat on both sides with salt and pepper to taste. In a bowl, combine the 1/2 cup Parmesan, garlic, and parsley. Divide the mixture among the meat slices, spreading it into an even layer, and roll up each slice to enclose the filling. Secure each roll with string or toothpicks.
- Meatballs: In a small bowl, combine the bread with enough milk to just cover and let the bread soak for 10 minutes. Squeeze dry and chop fine. In a bowl, combine the bread with the meat, garlic, parsley, Romano cheese, eggs, and salt and pepper to taste. Form into 12 to 14 meatballs, about 2 1/2 inches in diameter, and chill until ready to cook. In a large saucepan or casserole set over moderate, heat the oil until hot. Add the meatballs and cook them until they're browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes.
SUNDAY GRAVY
This is the Sunday morning "gravy" that will energize the appetites of all in the house. Keep a few meatballs on the side for an early morning snack.
Provided by Bobdi
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Pasta Sauce Recipes Tomato
Time 4h20m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Break stale bread into very small pieces and add to a large bowl. Add beef, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and egg. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well and use wet hands to roll mixture into meatballs.
- Heat about 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown meatballs on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer meatballs to a platter. Add sausage and pork ribs to the skillet and brown, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer to the platter with the meatballs.
- Heat about 2 tablespoons olive oil in an 8- to 10-quart pot over medium heat. Add garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomato paste and stir to combine. Add onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add whole tomatoes and mash using a potato masher. Add crushed tomatoes and tomato puree; cook, stirring frequently.
- Add browned sausage and ribs to the pot. Stir in sugar, basil, bay leaf, and oregano. Cook until bubbling with lid ajar, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to lowest setting and cook, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, about 1 hour. Stir in red wine. Continue cooking about 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours more.
- Remove sauce from heat and cover. Let sit 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Return sauce to medium heat and add meatballs. Cook, stirring frequently, until bubbling, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to lowest setting until ready to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 392.2 calories, Carbohydrate 17.5 g, Cholesterol 78.9 mg, Fat 24.7 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 22.3 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Sodium 1074.5 mg, Sugar 9.5 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients. This includes using fresh vegetables, herbs, and meat. The better the ingredients, the better the gravy will taste.
- Brown the meat before adding it to the gravy. This will help to develop flavor and color.
- Simmer the gravy for at least 3 hours. This will allow the flavors to meld and develop.
- Add a splash of red wine or Marsala wine to the gravy. This will add depth of flavor.
- Serve the gravy over your favorite pasta or polenta. It can also be used as a dipping sauce for bread.
Conclusion:
North End Sunday Gravy is a delicious and hearty Italian-American dish that is perfect for a special occasion. With its rich, flavorful sauce and tender meatballs, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a delicious and easy meal to make, give North End Sunday Gravy a try!
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