my italian cooking lesson

While Kylee was in town I decided to get in a good Italian cooking lesson.  You see, Kylee's husband is a phenomenal chef (no joke!).  They both definitely know their way around the kitchen, and I'm constantly trying to get recipe ideas from her.  She has been getting together with her husband's grandmother and cooking authentic Italian style.  Luckily she passed the recipe onto me, and we are here to show you how to make braciole.  

Here's what you'll need:

Homemade Sauce:

2 cans diced stewed tomatoes

1 can tomato paste

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 onion, chopped

~1/4. c. dry red wine

dried parsley

dried basil

dried oregano

salt and pepper to taste

(All of the seasonings are to your taste so use however much you prefer.)

Braciole:

1 lb. round steak sliced thin

1/4 lb. sliced salami

1/4 lb. sliced provolone

First we sautéed garlic and onion in olive oil.  We added a little bit of red wine to the pan so that the onions had liquid to absorb while they cooked.  Once those were softened, we added two cans of stewed italian style tomatoes and one can of tomato paste.  

The tomatoes weren't diced so we pulled out the immersion blender and let it get to work.  It broke up the tomatoes perfectly and created a great texture.  

(Note: you will want to buy diced stewed tomatoes to ensure you don't have to whip out your immersion blender)

Next, we took a piece of thinly sliced round steak and placed a pice of provolone and salami on top.  We rolled the steak up and secured it with tooth pics.  You could use cooing twine if you have some.  Once you have all of your steak rolled, heat a pan with olive oil and sear the steak.  The seared steak then gets transferred to your pot of pasta sauce so it can continue to cook. 

While your meat cooks, cook your spaghetti!   

Slice up your meat, and voila!  

Dinner!!!!  

This meal was divine!  I've tried only once before to make my own sauce, but after this I'm never going back to the jar.  Well, I say that now but the jar is still my time saver friend.  This dinner will be served up again for a little romantic date for the husband and I.