History
Brasato (from brasa, embers) is the Piedmontese pot-roast braised low and long. The Barolo version uses an entire bottle of Nebbiolo-based Barolo DOCG; the high tannin and acidity cut through the chuck or shoulder, and the wine reduces over hours to a dense glossy sauce. A Sunday-lunch standard in autumn and winter.
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Make it at home
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg beef chuck or shoulder, tied
- 1 bottle (750 ml) Barolo or other Nebbiolo
- 2 onions, 2 carrots, 2 celery sticks, all roughly chopped
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 bay leaves, 4 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 small sprig rosemary
- Salt, black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 30g butter
Method
- Marinate the beef in the wine with vegetables, garlic and spices in the fridge for 12 hours.
- Remove the meat (reserve marinade); pat dry, season with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil and butter in a heavy pot; brown the meat well on all sides, about 12 minutes total.
- Pour in the marinade with vegetables and spices; bring to a simmer, cover and braise on the lowest heat for 3 to 3.5 hours, turning every 30 minutes.
- Lift out the meat and rest; strain the cooking liquid, press the vegetables through a sieve to thicken the sauce, simmer to reduce by half.
- Slice the beef and serve with the sauce and creamy polenta.
Tip from the editors. Use a Barolo you would happily drink; a tannic Nebbiolo that has been open a day is ideal.
Where to eat brasato al barolo
Brasato al Barolo in Turin
Tre Galline ★ 4.4
Tre Galline in Turin's Quadrilatero has run an inn on this street since the mid-XVI century. Bollito misto trolley, battuta of Fassona, vitello tonnato.
Book1 to 2 weeks ahead
Consorzio ★ 4.5
Consorzio in Turin's Quadrilatero Romano is a slow-food trattoria with a fine-dining wine list. Agnolotti del plin, finanziera ravioli, deep cellar.
Book1 to 2 weeks ahead
Trattoria Valenza ★ 4.2
Trattoria Valenza on Borgo Dora next to Porta Palazzo is a trattoria visitors walk past on the way to the market; full Piedmontese carte, live music nights.
Why locals goA Borgo Dora trattoria right next to Porta Palazzo that visitors walk past on the way to the market.
TipThursday and Saturday have live music; book those nights ahead, lunch is walk-in on the corner outside Porta Palazzo.
Antico Ristorante Porto di Savona ★ 4.2
Porto di Savona on Piazza Vittorio Veneto in Turin has cooked since 1863 as a Locale Storico d'Italia. Vitello tonnato, agnolotti and finanziera.
SignatureVitello tonnato, Agnolotti, Bollito misto
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