Il Cucinologo
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Aglianico Stew

17/11/2023

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

Ingredients

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

Preparation

  1. Start by lightly dusting the pieces of meat with flour. This will help seal in the juices during cooking and thicken the sauce.

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

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

  4. Return the meat to the pot with the vegetable soffritto 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 simmer gently for about 2-3 hours, until the meat is very tender and falls apart easily.

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

  8. Once the meat is ready, remove the herbs and, if you prefer a thicker sauce, uncover and reduce over medium-high heat for the last few minutes.

Trivia

The Aglianico wine is known for its robust, tannic notes that pair perfectly with rich, flavorful meat dishes. Native to southern Italy, particularly Basilicata and Campania, Aglianico is a wine that ages well, becoming softer and more complex in its bouquet. Using this wine in the stew not only gives an intense flavor but also a dish that evokes the hills and winemaking traditions of these Italian regions.