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Aglianico Beef Stew

17/11/2023

The Aglianico beef stew is a dish with a rich and full-bodied flavor that marries the Italian culinary tradition with a robust and aromatic red wine like Aglianico. Here is the recipe to prepare a delicious Aglianico beef stew.

Ingredients

  • 800 g of beef for stew (preferably muscle or cheek)
  • 500 ml of Aglianico wine
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, sliced into rounds
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Some sprigs of rosemary
  • 1 can of peeled tomatoes (about 400 g)
  • 250 ml of beef broth
  • 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Flour, for dusting the meat

Preparation

  1. Begin by lightly flouring the pieces of meat. This helps to seal in the juices during cooking and makes the sauce thicker.

  2. In a large pot, heat the extra virgin olive oil and brown the floured meat pieces until they are well-seared on all sides. Remove the meat from the pot and set aside.

  3. In the same pot, add more oil if necessary and sauté the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until soft and translucent.

  4. Return the meat to the pot with the sautéed vegetables and add the Aglianico wine. Increase the heat to evaporate the alcohol.

  5. Once the wine has reduced, add the peeled tomatoes, beef broth, bay leaves, and rosemary sprigs. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  6. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover with a lid, and let it cook slowly for about 2-3 hours, until the meat becomes very tender and easily breaks apart.

  7. During cooking, check the liquid level from time to time and add more broth if necessary to prevent the stew from drying out.

  8. Once the meat is ready, remove the aromatic herbs, and if you desire a thicker sauce, you can remove the lid and let it reduce over medium-high heat for the last few minutes.

Trivia

The Aglianico wine is known for its robust and tannic notes that pair perfectly with rich and flavorful meat dishes. Originating from southern Italy, particularly from Basilicata and Campania, Aglianico is a wine that evolves well with aging, becoming softer and more complex in its bouquet. By using this wine in the stew, not only will you obtain an intense flavor, but also a dish that recalls the hills and wine traditions of these Italian regions.