Hearty and comforting this Italian beef stew if one of a kind. Made with simple everyday ingredients it's super easy to make. Enjoy it as a one-pot meal or serve on top of mashed potatoes or polenta. Stezzatino tastes even better the next day.
Finely chop vegetable for soffritto: carrot, celery and onion.
Mince all herbs except bay leaf: sage, rosemary (leaves only) and parsley.
Prepare the meat. If needed, cut it into medium size cubes equal in size as possible. Roll each piece in flour, tapping out the excess flour.
Make Spezzatino
Add a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a pan along with chopped carrot, celery and onion. Cook on medium low heat, stirring occasionally once the vegetables become soft. Once soffritto is ready transfer it to a bowl. This way you can use the same pan to prepare the meat and the entire dish.
In a large pan add a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and flour covered meat.
Roast for a few minutes on each side then add fresh minced herbs.
Give a nice stir then add red wine. Let cook on high heat for a few minutes until the wine has almost evaporated.
Add soffritto Give a nice stir.Add hot water or broth, bay leaf and tomato paste.
Stir well, cover with a lid and let simmer on low heat for 1.5-2 hours (depending on the type and cut of the meat you’ve chosen).
A few minutes before spezzatino is ready add peas. This is also the time to taste and adjust for salt.Let cook for another 5 minutes and turn the heat off.
Spezzatino can be served hot or warm.It will keep well in the fridge for 2 days or up to 3 months in the freezer.