Spezzatino di Manzo (Italian beef stew)

Spezzatino di Manzo (Italian beef stew)

from supergoldenbakes.com
Main
10 min
6 servings
512 kcal / serving

Spezzatino di Manzo is a delicious Italian beef stew that's packed with vegetables and tender beef in a rich red wine gravy. Serve over polenta for a warming comforting meal the whole family will love.

Ingredients

  • 3 tbspolive oil (, or as needed)
  • 2 lbschuck steak, cubed
  • 3 ½ ozpancetta (, roughly chopped)
  • 1 largeonion (, finely diced)
  • 2carrots (, finely diced)
  • 2celery stalks (, finely diced)
  • 2 tspsea salt
  • 1 tspblack pepper
  • 1 tspbrown sugar ((optional))
  • 7 ozcrimini mushrooms (, halved (chestnut mushrooms))
  • 4garlic cloves (, sliced)
  • 2 tbsptomato paste
  • 2 tbspbalsamic vinegar
  • ⅓ cupred wine
  • 2 ½ cupsbeef broth
  • 1bay leaf
  • 1rosemary sprig
  • 2 tspcornstarch ((cornflour))

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 320°F (160°C). Heat the olive oil in a large casserole and sear the beef over high heat, in batches, until browned. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

  2. 2

    Add the diced pancetta and cook, stirring, until it starts to crisp up. Transfer to the bowl with beef.

  3. 3

    Add a splash of red wine to the pan and let it cook down. Reduce the heat, add a little olive oil and the onion, celery and carrots. Season with the salt and pepper and sprinkle with the sugar.

  4. 4

    Sauté over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are very soft. You can add a splash of broth or wine to the pan, as needed, while the soffrito is cooking.

  5. 5

    Stir in the mushrooms and garlic and cook for a minute or so. Add the wine and balsamic vinegar and stir in the tomato paste.

  6. 6

    Pour in the beef broth and bring to a simmer. Return the beef and pancetta plus any juices to the pan and stir everything together. Add the rosemary and bay leaf, cover the pot with a tight fitting lid and transfer to the oven for 90 minutes.

  7. 7

    Check the stew at this point – is the beef very tender? If yes then take out of the oven. If not, continue to cook for a further 30 minutes.

  8. 8

    Dissolve the cornstarch in a little cold water and add to the stew. Bring to a simmer and stir until the stew thickens.

  9. 9

    Discard the bay leaf and check the seasoning, adding salt and pepper if needed. Serve over buttery soft polenta , mashed potatoes or pasta.