**Tuscan-Style Stew: A Culinary Journey Through the Heart of Italy**
Embark on a culinary adventure to the heart of Tuscany, where rustic flavors and fresh ingredients come together in a symphony of taste. Discover the secrets of the region's beloved stew, a comforting dish that embodies the essence of Italian home cooking. This hearty stew showcases the bounty of Tuscan produce, from succulent meats to an array of vegetables, all simmered in a rich tomato-based broth infused with aromatic herbs. Uncover the history and traditions behind this cherished dish, and learn how to prepare three distinct variations that capture the unique culinary heritage of Tuscany. From the classic "Peposo alla Fornacina" with its slow-cooked beef, to the vibrant "Cacciucco alla Livornese" featuring a medley of seafood, and the vegetarian delight of "Ribollita," a hearty vegetable stew, each recipe promises a captivating journey through the diverse culinary landscapes of Tuscany.
TUSCAN-STYLE BEEF STEW RECIPE - (3.7/5)
Provided by DreiFromBK
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Serves 6 to 8 We prefer boneless short ribs in this recipe because they require very little trimming. If you cannot find them, substitute a 5-pound chuck roast. Trim the roast of large pieces of fat and sinew, and cut it into 2-inch pieces. If Chianti is unavailable, a medium-bodied wine such as Côtes du Rhône or Pinot Noir makes a nice substitute. Serve with polenta or crusty bread. 1. Toss beef and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt together in bowl and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 300 degrees. 2. Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add half of beef in single layer and cook until well browned on all sides, about 8 minutes total, reducing heat if fond begins to burn. Stir in 2 cups wine, water, shallots, carrots, garlic, rosemary, bay leaves, cracked peppercorns, gelatin, tomato paste, anchovy paste, and remaining beef. Bring to simmer and cover tightly with sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil, then lid. Transfer to oven and cook until beef is tender, 2 to 2 1/4 hours, stirring halfway through cooking time. 3. Using slotted spoon, transfer beef to bowl; cover tightly with foil and set aside. Strain sauce through fine-mesh strainer into fat separator. Wipe out pot with paper towels. Let liquid settle for 5 minutes, then return defatted liquid to pot. 4. Add 1 cup wine and ground black pepper and bring mixture to boil over medium-high heat. Simmer briskly, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened to consistency of heavy cream, 12 to 15 minutes. 5. Combine remaining wine and cornstarch in small bowl. Reduce heat to medium-low, return beef to pot, and stir in cornstarch-wine mixture. Cover and simmer until just heated through, 5 to 8 minutes. Season with salt to taste. Serve, passing extra cracked peppercorns separately. (Stew can be made up to 3 days in advance.) Cheap Wine is Fine Early recipes for peposo relied on inexpensive Chianti, while modern versions call for a midpriced bottle (whether Chianti or a similar Tuscan wine such as Montepulciano or Brunello). We made batches using cheap ($5), midpriced ($12), and pricey ($20) Chianti, along with other varieties we often use in the kitchen: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Côtes du Rhône. We were surprised that the stew made with the cheapest Chianti went over well with most tasters. While the midpriced wine was agreeable to everyone, there was no advantage to cooking with the expensive bottle. Highly oaked, tannic wines like Cabernet became harsh when cooked, but cheap bottles of fruitier pinot and Côtes du Rhône made good stand-ins for the Chianti. Maximizing the Flavors from Wine and Pepper The flavor compounds in wine and pepper can be classified by their behavior during cooking. Stable compounds don't change, but volatile compounds evaporate, and unstable compounds break down. Over time, the result is a loss of flavor. Most recipes we found for this stew call for adding all the wine and pepper at once, at the start of a 2 1/2-hour simmer. At the end of cooking, the flavors remaining were only those of the stable compounds. By adding some of the wine and pepper 15 minutes before finishing cooking, and the remainder of wine and pepper at the end, we were able to preserve more of the volatile and unstable compounds, capturing the most fleeting, bright, fresh flavors from both the wine and the pepper.
TUSCAN-STYLE STEW
Steps:
- 1.In a stainless steel or plastic mixing bowl,combine wine and garlic and marinate beef,refrigerated 4 hours(I did it for 12 hrs),then remove meat,pat dry and reserve marinade. 2.In a large heavy bottom pot, heat veg. oil and saute onion over low heat until translcent but not browned. 3.In a large fry pan saute beef and then sausage until browned. 4.Increase heat on heavy bottomed pot and add celery,potatoes,carrots and cook 5 mins,stirring constantly. 5.Add beef,sausage and juices from fry pan to pot. 6.Add tomatoes,tomato paste,beef base powder,worcestershire,herbs, spices,brown sugar reserved marinade and water. 7.Bring to a boil, then reduce temperature to simmer for 3 to 5 hrs covered stirring occasionally. Near the end increase heat and add just enough flour water slurry to thicken as desired. Reduce heat and simmer 20 mins longer. 8.Serve with freshly grated parmesan and garlic croutons to taste.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the taste of your stew. Look for ripe vegetables, tender meat, and a flavorful broth.
- Brown the meat before stewing: Browning the meat adds flavor and depth to the stew. Be sure to brown the meat in batches so that it doesn't crowd the pan and steam instead of browning.
- Use a variety of vegetables: A variety of vegetables will add color, texture, and flavor to your stew. Some good choices include carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, and tomatoes.
- Add herbs and spices: Herbs and spices can add a lot of flavor to your stew. Some good choices include rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, garlic, and pepper.
- Simmer the stew low and slow: The longer you simmer the stew, the more flavorful it will be. Simmer the stew for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 hours for a richer flavor.
- Serve with crusty bread or rice: Crusty bread or rice is a great way to soak up the delicious sauce from the stew.
Conclusion:
Tuscan-style stew is a hearty, flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. With its tender meat, flavorful vegetables, and rich broth, this stew is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a delicious and easy-to-make meal, give this Tuscan-style stew a try.
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