Braised Beef in Port Wine with Rosemary Apples

17/11/2023

Braised Beef in Port Wine with Rosemary Apples is a richly flavored dish that combines the sweetness of Port wine with the freshness of apples and the aroma of rosemary. Here is the recipe you can follow to prepare this sophisticated dish.

Ingredients

1 kg of beef for braising (such as eye round or shoulder)
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, sliced into rounds
2 stalks of celery, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
300 ml of Port wine
300 ml of beef stock
2 bay leaves
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2-3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
2-3 apples, cut into wedges (preferably tart-sweet varieties like Granny Smith)

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 160 °C (320 °F).
In a large ovenproof casserole dish, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the meat on all sides until it becomes well-browned. Remove the meat and set aside.
In the same casserole dish, add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until the vegetables start to brown, about 5-10 minutes.
Lower the heat and add the Port wine, allowing the alcohol to evaporate for a couple of minutes.
Now, add the meat back into the casserole, pour in the beef stock, add the bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
Bring everything to a boil, then cover the casserole with a lid and transfer it to the preheated oven.
Cook slowly for about 3-4 hours, or until the meat is very tender and flakes easily with a fork.
While the braised beef is in the oven, prepare the rosemary apples. In a pan, heat a drizzle of oil and sauté the apple wedges with rosemary until they are caramelized and soft, yet still holding their shape.
Serve the braised beef in deep plates, accompanied by the rosemary apples.

Curiosity

This dish is an example of how Italian cuisine can take inspiration from the flavors of other cultures, in this case, Port, a sweet and strong Portuguese wine, which pairs perfectly with the rustic flavors of braised meat and the sweetness of apples. It may seem like a bold combination, but it actually creates a harmonious contrast on the palate.

Buon appetito!