ITALIAN BRAISED BEEF AND VEAL WITH TOMATO GRAVY

ITALIAN BRAISED BEEF AND VEAL WITH TOMATO GRAVY image

Yield 4-6 People

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 1/2 lb beef top-round steak already cut stew meat
1 lb veal top-round steak already cut stew meat
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons rustic rub
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 cups chopped onion (1 large)
1 cup chopped green bell pepper (from 1 large)
1 cup chopped celery (about 2 ribs)
1 1/2 cups chopped peeled and seeded tomatoes (see cooks' note, below) or 1 1/2 cups (from a 28-oz can) drained canned tomatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
5 Turkish bay leaves or 2 California
1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning, crumbled
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Cayenne (optional)
2 cups beef broth (homemade or canned; 16 fl oz)
1/2 cup dry red wine
3 tablespoons chopped scallions
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
By: Linda Galyean

Steps:

Cut beef and veal into 2-inch pieces. Combine flour and rustic rub in a small bowl. Working with 1 piece at a time, lightly coat meat with seasoned flour, and then gently pound meat to 1/4 inch thick with flat side of a meat pounder, turning meat over occasionally. Heat oil in a wide 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté all meat, stirring constantly and turning over, until evenly and lightly browned on both sides, 5 to 6 minutes. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery and cook, stirring and scraping up any brown bits from bottom and side of pot, until softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add tomatoes, garlic, and cook, stirring frequently and scraping bottom and side of pot, 3 minutes. Add bay leaves, thyme, oregano, basil, salt, cayenne, black pepper, broth, and wine, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until meat is very tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Serve over Parmesan polenta or white steam rice. Cooks' note: To peel a tomato, first cut an X in the bottom and immerse in boiling water 10 seconds. Transfer to ice water, then remove and peel.