Italian
Pici with Beef Braise
by Federico Fusca Chef · 332K subscribers on YouTube
Handmade Tuscan pici pasta served with a rich, slow-cooked beef braise (stracotto). The beef is seared, then simmered for three hours with vegetables, herbs, and red wine until meltingly tender, then shredded and tossed with the pasta.
- Cook
- 3h
- Difficulty
- medium
Ingredients
15 items- 1 kgSorra (Cappello del Prete)Beef top round or similar braising cut
- Extra Virgin Olive OilFor searing
- SaltTo taste
- CeleryFinely chopped
- 2 pcsCarrotFinely chopped
- 1 pcsRed OnionFinely chopped
- 2 pcsBay LeavesBay leaves
- RosemaryA few sprigs
- SageA small bunch
- Gin(optional) — For deglazing; can substitute with brandy or rum
- Red WinePlenty, e.g. 1-2 cups
- 1 tbspTomato Paste
- PepperTo taste
- 500 gSemolinaDurum wheat semolina
- 200 mlLukewarm WaterLukewarm; start with 200 ml, add up to 250 ml if needed
Method
- Cut the sorra (capello del prete / beef top round) into chunks.
- Heat extra virgin olive oil in a pot, add the meat and sear until browned, seasoning with a pinch of salt.
- Remove the meat and set aside. In the same pot, add finely chopped celery, carrot, and red onion; sauté until softened.
- Add bay leaves, rosemary, and sage. Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Deglaze with gin (or brandy/rum) and flambé if desired, letting the alcohol burn off.
- Pour in plenty of red wine, then return the meat to the pot. Add salt, pepper, and a tablespoon of tomato paste. Stir.
- Cover and simmer on low heat for 3 hours.
- After about 2 hours of cooking, prepare the pici dough: mix 500 g semola flour with 200–250 ml lukewarm water and a pinch of salt. Knead for 5 minutes, then cover and rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Roll out the dough thinly, cut into strips, then roll each strip with your hands to form pici (not too thick).
- After 3 hours, the meat should be very tender. Use a fork to shred it into the sauce.
- Cook the pici in boiling salted water for 2–3 minutes.
- Drain the pici and toss them in the sauce. Serve with extra sauce on top.
Federico Fusca Chef
Home cook332K subscribers on YouTube256.5M total channel viewsSono Federico Fusca. Cucina italiana godereccia, ignorante e senza compromessi🔥 Ricette vere, creme illegali e piatti che spaccano. 👉 Iscriviti se ami mangiare sul serio.
