Weekend Braised Beef Ragu With Pappardelle Food

WEEKEND BRAISED BEEF RAGU WITH PAPPARDELLE

Steps:

• Season the chuck roast pieces with salt and pepper all over. Heat the oil in a large, dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the beef into the pot and allow it to sear on each side for roughly 5-7 minutes or until browned, remove the beef to a plate. Add another drizzle of oil if the pan needs it. Saute the onions for 4-5 minutes or until translucent, stirring as needed so that they don't burn. Add the garlic and let cook for another 1-2 minutes. Add the tomato paste and allow it to cook, stirring frequently for 1 minute.
• STOVE TOP: Deglaze the pan with beef broth. Scraping with a wooden spoon to loosen anything that might be stuck on. Add the balsamic vinegar, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, parmesan rind, bay leaves, fresh thyme, basil, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Allow the sauce to gain a simmer, stir once. Cover and lower the heat to the lowest setting and let cook for 2 ½ - 5 hours or until the meat easily shreds with two forks. You may need to add a splash of water or broth if too much evaporates or if your beef is taking longer to cook. Mine took about 3 hours to get the meat to just fall apart. I shredded the beef and then let it simmer for another 10-15 minutes in the sauce. Season with salt to taste. Feel free to skim any excess fat off the top and remove the parmesan rind, bay leaves, and basil leaves before serving. Serve over pappardelle with a sprinkle of parsley and freshly grated parmesan.
• SLOW COOKER: Transfer the meat, sauteed onions, garlic, and tomato mixture to a slow cooker. Add all the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker (except those for serving.) Cover and let cook on the low setting for 6-8 hours. Check for doneness around 6 hours, using two forks to shred the meat. You'll know it's done when it falls apart easily. Season with salt to taste. Feel free to skim any excess fat off the top and remove the parmesan rind, bay leaves, and basil leaves before serving. Serve over pappardelle with a sprinkle of parsley and freshly grated parmesan.

PAPPARDELLE WITH SLOW-COOKER BEEF RAGù

Steps:

• Whisk the tomatoes, wine, tomato paste, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the rosemary and parmesan rind. Season the beef all over with salt and pepper and add to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low until the meat is very tender, 7 hours. Shred the meat in the slow cooker with two forks, discarding any large pieces of fat. Discard the rosemary sprig and parmesan rind.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain. Return the pasta to the pot and add the shredded meat and sauce; stir in the reserved cooking water. Cook over medium-high heat, tossing occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and stir in half the parsley. Divide among bowls and drizzle with the olive oil; top with shredded parmesan and the remaining parsley.

JAMIE OLIVER'S PAPPARDELLE WITH BEEF RAGU

Steps:

• Season beef with salt and pepper to taste. Place an uncovered pressure cooker or oven-proof Dutch oven over medium-high heat, and add olive oil. When oil is hot, add beef. Stir until beef is well browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add rosemary and sage sprigs, onion, garlic, carrot and celery. Reduce heat to medium-low and sauté until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add Chianti and continue to simmer until liquid has reduced by half, about 15 minutes. Add tomatoes and their juices, and if using pressure cooker, 1/2 cup water. Secure lid and pressure gauge of pressure cooker, and follow manufacturer's instructions to bring contents of pot to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 45 minutes. If using Dutch oven, simmer, covered, in a 275-degree oven, or on the stove over low heat, for 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
• Place a large pot of lightly salted water over high heat to bring to a boil. Remove pressure cooker from heat, or Dutch oven from oven. After pressure has dropped in pressure cooker, follow manufacturer's instructions to remove lid. Using two forks, finely shred meat and vegetables. Discard herb stems. Loosely cover pan and return it to low heat to keep warm.
• Add pappardelle to boiling water. As it cooks, scoop out 1/2 cup water and reserve. Cook pasta to taste, then drain well. Return pasta to pot, and add butter and 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano; mix gently until butter has melted. Add a little reserved cooking water to loosen.
• To serve, lift pasta into each of six shallow bowls. Spoon beef ragù over top. Sprinkle each bowl with a pinch of orange zest and rosemary, and a spoonful of cheese.