Aka ‘peposo’, this is essentially a 3 main ingredient Italian stew that become something crazy delicious with not much more than a little simmering time. Damn.
2 1/2 pounds beef chuck roast
Kosher salt
Oil
6 - 8 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper
1 bottle red wine, and a Chianti would be perfect here
2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
2 tablespoons chopped curly parsley
Zest of one lemon
Cut the beef into cubes, somewhere around 1 ½ would be great – then season with kosher salt
Put a tablespoon of oil and the garlic in an oven proof pan with a lid, and bring up to medium high heat, letting the garlic get golden brown – then remove from pan
Add another tablespoon of oil, and sear the beef (in batches) until browned – set to the side
Idf the pan is dry, add another tablespoon of oil, and when it begins to shimmer sprinkle the pepper over the top
Stir well and when fragrant, 30-60 seconds add the wine – stirring well across the bottom (to release any delicious stuck on bits)
Bring to a simmer, add the beef and any juices as well as the garlic
Cover and cook on a low simmer 75-90 minutes
Remove the lid and continue to cook, stiffing occasionally until the cubes are beautifully tender, another 75 minutes or so
While it finishes cooking, heat a small non-stick pan over medium and toast panko until
golden brown and crispi-er, then put in a small bowl and when cool add the parsley and lemon zest - mix well and set aside
Serve on rice, pasta, soft polenta – or do what we did: put a little on some hearty grilled bread with a little of the panko/parsley sprinkled over the top
Yumm