The Messina chops

The Messina chops are a typical dish of Sicilian tradition, particularly from the area of Messina. They are breaded and stuffed meat rolls that are stewed. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

• 6 thin slices of beef (such as top round or rump)
• 100 g of breadcrumbs
• 60 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1 clove of garlic
• Parsley to taste
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil for cooking
• 1 glass of white wine
• 500 ml of tomato puree
• Cubed caciocavallo or sweet provola to taste
• Oil for frying

Preparation

1. Prepare the filling by mixing breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, eggs, finely chopped garlic, chopped parsley, salt and pepper in a bowl until the mixture is homogeneous.
2. Spread out the beef slices and distribute the mixture onto each, adding also some cubes of caciocavallo or sweet provola.
3. Roll up the meat slices on themselves to form rolls and seal them with toothpicks to prevent them from opening during cooking.
4. In a large pan, heat some oil and place the rolls in it. Brown them on all sides until they are well-goldened.
5. Deglaze with white wine and let it evaporate.
6. Add the tomato puree, adjust with salt and pepper, and cook on medium-low heat for at least one hour, turning the rolls occasionally.
7. If the sauce reduces too much, you can add a bit of water to prevent it from drying out too much.

Curiosity

The Messina chops are a dish that evokes festive occasions and are often present in family Sunday lunches. They were traditionally prepared with beef, but it is possible to find variants with veal or pork. The secret to a successful dish lies in the quality of the ingredients, particularly the meat, which must be thinly pounded and the filling, which should be flavorful and well bound.