Saturday 21 April 2012

BUONA DOMENICA! (Ragu` with Braciole- Italian Sunday Lunch)





Easter Sunday morning: the church bells are ringing, the swallows are flying. It's Springtime and I feel happy. Today I will wear my pink and gray tartan coat with my new shoes and my pink leather bag, the one with the long strap. I am ten and quite looking forward to going out with my friend Stella.

Mamma gives me some money for the collection, in church "Don't forget to bring a bottle of Holy water, so your father can bless the family before we start eating" says my mother. I promise I will. I have a small empty bottle in my bag. 
As I make my way to Stella's I feel the coins, in my pocket and I taste the sweet flavour of Menta Glaciale (my favourite sweets... they look like icebergs!) slowly melting in my mouth, and of liquorice. Inside my head, I am unrolling a wheel of sweet, soft, chewy liquorice and I'm thinking:" They don't need my money! I'm not going to church!"
So, yes... we are not going to church, not today, not ever again! We have grown up (we are ten, after all) and we need to explore. Using all my money, we buy sweets (liquorice never tasted that good!) and we make our way to the city centre, leaving the church bells behind. We felt naughty and free. We walk and walk and walk, we eat sweets and drink lemonade out funny little plastic bottles. 
As we walk round the elegant city centre, we look at every shop and department store window, feeling very happy to be there, and very grown up. We then look at the time and realise that it's almost lunch time. We can tell because the sun feels ever so hot!
 Stella and I look at each other, panick and start running, in a straight line, all the way down a street. All the bars are shutting. Having had their aperitivo, people are making their way home for Easter Sunday lunch.
After what seemed like a very long race against time, we begin to see the familiar buildings, our school, the church and the shops in our "quartiere."
We say bye with a smile and both go home. What an adventure!
Once home, I ring the bell and Rosa, my mother opens the door "Where have you been? We are all waiting for you. Where's the holy water?" "Yes... where's the Holy water... what holy water? Oh, My god!" - I think. I quickly turn round and I run as fast as I can to the church.

 The big wooden door is locked "What shall I do? What shall I do? I was supposed to get some holy water from the church, but I never went there!"
As I look to the left of the church, I notice a little gate. I know it leads to a courtyard which runs along the side of the church and that... THEY HAVE A SINK, AND IT'S OUTSIDE!  I know the water won't be "Holy," but  but what else can I do? So, I fill the bottle from the tap and I run back home, all the way, holding it in one hand and melted liquorice in the other (by now black and sticky) hand.
My mum opens the door, again, I smile at her and finally I notice the smell of Sunday lunch: ragu` di carne con braciole. It must be Sunday, today! Words cannot explain the sense of love and confort I feel when I smell that aroma and I see all my family sat round our big round table. I'm so glad I found the way home!
It's Easter lunch time and my father is dipping an olive branch in a cup of (not at all) holy water which came from a tap outside the church. He smiles and blesses the family and the food on our table. I really don't have time to feel guilty. The food smells good, it's a sunny day and we are all together!


Today, I'm sharing our family recipe for Ragu` di Carne, con Braciole.








Ragù di Carne, con Braciole
Ingredients:
Braciole
 
6 thin slices of beef
(I used frying steak)
2 garlic cloves
a small bunch of fresh parsley
some grated Italian Cheese
(I like to use Pecorino)
2 slices of pancetta,
or some diced pancetta
black pepper
salt
some cocktail sticks

For the sauce:

800mls (1pt, 12floz) passata
1 large onion
7-8 tbsp olive oil
1 slice pancetta
a glass of wine
salt
pepper
a small piece of cheese
fresh basil
(this is optional
but I LOVE IT!)

Before you start making the sauce, prepare your braciole. These are delicious beef "parcels" which will make your sauce delicious!
Place your slices of beef (if they are not thin enough, use your meat mallet!) on a surfice, next to each other. In the middle of each, place some chopped garlic, some chopped fresh parsley, a couple of pieces of pancetta, or bacon, a generous sprinkling of Pecorino, which I prefer to Parmigiano, followed by salt and lots of black pepper.
Roll the slices, individually, and secure with a cocktail stick, making sure the filling stays inside. Place on a plate, and cover.



                                             My big sister Nunzia, buying meat in Italy


                                                braciole in the making!

                                                   ready to be cooked 


Now make the sauce. Finely chop the onion, then heat the oil. When hot, add the onion, followed by your pancetta, diced or chopped, if you are using the sliced kind. Stir until golden, then, one at a time, add your braciole. By now you should be smelling a fantastic aroma! If you have a piece of Pecorino, add it, too, as it will make your sauce taste really good!
When your braciole have browned, pour a glass of red or white wine, stir again and wait until the the alcohol evaporates. Now, the final stage: add your lovely passata, bring to the boil, the lower the heat to almost minimum, half cover with a lid and wait...
If the sauce appears to be thickening too much, to prevent the meat from sticking to the pan (some say that if this happens, it actually improves the flavour!) add a small amount of water.
A good ragù should cook for a good three to four hours, not less, otherwise your braciole will be so tough, you'll be able to play cricket with them. Nothing more off putting than a tough braciola. My mum's were always tender and succulent, but then, she really knew how to cook!




                                                         I sliced my braciola to serve


In Italy, ragù with braciole, or just meat (we don't mix meat, sausages and  meatballs, as it would be a lethal combination. We keep it simple) is often part of our Sunday dinner. We have the sauce on pasta with cheese, then the meat, as a second course with a contorno of patatine ( thinly sliced chips fried in olive oil, rosemary and garlic) and, in winter, a kind of vegetable tempura, using vegetables in season, or salad. We only and always have salad with meat or fish, and never before a meal.









As you can see, below, I cooked some pasta al dente, of course, and served it with some sauce and a sprinkling of ricotta romana (or ricotta dura, a kind of Italian Feta cheese, but nicer!)













This dish reminds me of home and, to me, it's the most Italian of dishes, as it unites the Nation from  the Alps all the way down to Sicily!
BUONA DOMENICA!

37 comments:

  1. Dear Anna

    What a feast. I can almost smell the aroma as I look at the images.

    Your story of skipping Easter Sunday mass is priceless and I roared laughing at your substitute for Holy Water. It is curious how beautiful memories such as this are embedded in our minds.
    I wonder if your mother and father knew the truth and chose to remain silent and let you have your little fun (I know my mother did sometimes turn a blind eye)

    I love this recipe.

    Thanks Anna and have a glorious weekend

    Helen xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Helen!

      Yes, the story is really funny. Good job the gate was still open. I can tell you, that garden was empty and really, really spooky, at that time of day!

      I know I panicked, at the end, but... what an adventure, walking to the busy city centre for the first time! I don't know whether the liquorice was melted by the heat or by my blood pressure!

      Thanks for your comment... BTW: the dish is delicious!

      CIAO

      ANNA

      xxx

      Delete
  2. Anna, this looks and sounds wonderful! And I love the story that builds up to it - I'm glad it had a happy ending!
    It never ceases to amaze me how you can take just a few good wholesome ingredients, and by long slow cooking transform them into a wonderful feast! Really no need for long complicated recipes using bizarre ingredients.
    I also love the Italian way of cooking something which then serves as both starter and main course - so clever!
    I must try this recipe out this week - thanks to you and your Mother!
    I really enjoyed your post Anna - thank you for sharing and I hope your Easter was as happy as your childhood ones.

    Gill xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Gill,

      I'm glad you actually read through the whole story! My husband suggested that I should just post recipes with not too many photos or long "stories." The fact is that this isn't just a food blog and that without the stories and the images it wouldn't be the same!

      RE: "you can take a few ingredients..." well, it's the magic of Italian food: usually not more than 4 or 5 ingredients, no herbs, except a bit of parsley and basil here and there, no spices (never ever use the dreadful "Italian" herb mixes or "Italian" sauces in jars... they are JUNK!)The secrets is the creating a "base" for a dish, using olive oil with garlic, or onions, and... a lot of love!

      It's always lovely hearing from you! Your pink bedroom has really inspired me, by the way!

      CIAO!

      ANNA

      xx

      Delete
  3. Anna have just copied out recipe and at the end of it you start to give advice on what to do if sauce is thickening too much but then dont seem to say? Do you have a to add a little water?

    Gill xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gill,

      I won't beat round the bush: putting this post together took me ages, as everything has changed! I had to edit my pics using two different systems, first of all, if I wanted to insert a collage, then, I kept losing "bits" of writing!

      Yes, if the sauce is thickening too much you add some water. Thanks for pointing it out! I will rectify that straight away!

      CIAO!

      ANNA

      xx

      Delete
  4. I love the story from your childhood!

    And the pics of your recipe are mouthwatering!
    (like the meal!)

    Thanxx!
    ♥ Franka

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Franka, for appreciating my story (I thought it was too long!) and the pictures. They are not as good as usual, as I had a little kitten who wanted to "help" me and I got my settings wrong!

      PS: the meal is good, I agree! Thought today we had a vegetarian meal... no meat at all!

      ANNA

      xxx

      Delete
  5. Oh , Anna
    What a mischievous child !I read your story and I smile ! I can see your happiness when you turn around the city ! The memories of our first achievements are so strong ! Your plate looks delicious .
    Have a nice day
    Olympia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello, Olympia from beautiful Greece! Yes, you are right: I was happy, but also very scared. That's why I remember the experience! And I remember the homecoming: you always knew it was Sunday, at our house. We were blessed with wonderful parents...

      Ciao

      ANNA

      xx

      Delete
  6. Hi Anna
    Thank you so much for replying so quickly! I can imagine it took you a very long while with all the photos and recipe after your story, even without uploading problems!
    Thanks for going to so much trouble to share it with us - mine is on the stove cooking gently as I type - it looked so good and I fancied making it straight away, so hubby was sent out for ingredients and its smelling gorgeous!I had to substitute smoked bacon for the pancetta, but apart from that its all as per the recipe!
    Gill xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gilly, the sauce tastes good over orecchiette, the pasta shape from my city!
      It makes me happy to know that I have inspired you!

      It's ok to use bacon instead of pancetta (pancetta means "belly")

      Thank you!

      ANNA

      xxx

      Delete
  7. Carissima Anna - What a beautiful story! You were and still are a girl with lots of fantasy and the love for wonderful, homemade food! Your story is charming and so vivid - I can see every moment of it! The recipe is naughty (sorry for the expression but this sounds so very wonderful - I know what I have to do very soon!). As you know I have just returned from "Bel Paese". It is heaven there - the food so tasty and the landscape picturesque and the people with warm hearts! Google made me and still makes me mad! I think they have changed things for the worse... However, keep going as we all want you to share your wonderful stories and recipes with us! Enjoy your Sunday evening! Baciotto, Christa

    ReplyDelete
  8. Cara Christa! Here you are at last! I was beginning to miss you!

    I'm glad you enjoyed Il Bel Paese (MY ITALY!)Yes... it IS heaven, there! I love it!

    I know you will try my recipe very soon, as it's really easy and delicious!

    Google drove me mad yesterday, and I even wondered why I waste so much time doing this! Finding where everything was, editing the pictures and posting was a nightmare and I nearly gave up!

    But never mind... we'll get used to it!

    I've been trying to buy a new car, today... I am totally knackered (before you ask, it means very, very tired) and I want to go to sleep. BUT I HAVE THINGS TO DO!

    SO... Ciao... un baciotto a te!

    ANNA

    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  9. My sweet Anna
    Do you read Greek ? At last days I added at right on my side bar the Google translation .How many do you speak ? I am old to start to learn !I know that my English are bad , I don't remember all the words ,I make many mistakes but I am glad that I am in touch with other people .Please , honestly , write to me how many mistakes I have done now ?
    Love
    Olympia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Olympia, yes, I do read a bit of Greek!

      Like you said, you like to be in touch with people and you do that very nicely and gracefully. Languages are for communicating and I certainly am no judge. English is my second language, anyway and I, too, make mistakes. So... I will just say that I am glad to have you amongst my followers and THANK YOU for your lovely comments!

      CIAO!

      ANNA

      xx

      Delete
  10. What a delicious lunch! I love it all and an interesting story too. I shall definitely try these recipes - thank you.
    http://missbbobochic.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Missb! Thank you for visiting my blog. I'm glad you like my recipes and hope you will try them.

    Thank you for visiting my blog!

    ANNA

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ahh.. so nice to have you back. Every time I read your posts.. they become like a real story book. How lovely you wrote about your family Easter Sunday Anna. Great memories.
    I love the holy water part! ): typical children.
    The recipe like all your recipies is presented so well and you explain in detail how to cook it all.
    Thank you so much Anna,
    Grazi tanto.
    hugs xx
    val

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Val,
      Thank you so much for missing my posts. As you know, we spent some time in Italy, plus I had lots of work to do, which left me no free time for photography, or writing.

      But I'm back now, Val!

      Thank you for all the compliments. You are very sweet!

      BUONA NOTTE!

      ANNA
      xx

      Delete
  13. Anna, just reporting back that we loved your dish - thank to you and you Mother!

    As it was a little late when we ate, we saved the delicious rich and thick sauce for pasta as a main meal last night (cooked it Sunday night) and it was divine!

    This recipe will become a regular in our household for sure - I can't thank you enough for sharing it Anna, and for your advice above!

    Gill xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DEar Gill,

      Thank you very much for the feedback. It makes me happy to know that my recipes are actually being used. It makes me feel that there's a reason for me to continue writing my blog.

      I'm glad you enjoyed the meal! My mum would be happy to know that her recipe has travelled all the way to England, if she were still here.


      Thanks again... it's always lovely to hear from you!

      ANNA
      xx

      Delete
  14. Grazie Anna for your comment on my post on Riomaggiore! Yes, I know that the villages were badly flooded. Monterosso and Vernazza were hit very, very badly. Vernazza is open only since a few days. No restaurants, no bars, no shops open - it really hurts to see it all! I do not know how these people make their earnings! Also many of the trails along the sea were destroyed. I hope you managed to buy your new car and that you are less knackered (thanks for the new word)! BMB (baciotto) Christa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ciao Christa!
      I am on my PC, doing some really boring work.
      I believe that by Summer, Le Cinque Terre will be looking a lot better, as the locals are very determined and also must be getting substantial help. I wish them all good luck! The place is fantastic!

      I bought a very nice Peugeot today, but it's not with me, yet. It's so lovely!

      PS: Knackered is a useful word, but also a little bit... colloquial ( Queen Elizabeth wouldn't say it!)if you know what I mean.

      I think I'm a bad influence on you, Christa!

      BMB
      and
      BMH

      ANNA

      xx

      Delete
  15. Dear Anna,
    How lovely to sit with the rain pouring outside and be magically transported to your childhood and sunny home!
    This is such a wonderful post. Your description of the pleasure/guilt of your adventure is so true to life!
    I have had three very disasterous recipe experiments this week (NOT yours I hasten to add!)but your beef looks so delicious I may be brave again....
    So glad you are back writing again. I have been really busy too (and knackered!!!)and haven't been writing much. It does take a long time to put a post together doesn't it? In the end, I was a bit like you as a child yesterday and ran away from all the sensible things I should have been doing and shut myself up in the bookroom and just got writing!
    Have a happy, if soggy Wednesday
    love Jane xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jane! It looks like knackered is going to be the word of the year! Christa made me smile, too, yesterday.

      It's a lovely feeling knowing that people read what you write and enjoy it. To me, my blog is a like a "Room With A View" which I can open, when I feel cold and I need a ray of sun. It's always sunny, here... and I'm so glad I manage to make my readers feel that warmth.

      It's been raining here, too, but I love rain! I can hear birds singinging outside and rain on the windows and I almost feel like running outside to get wet, like I used to do in Italy, when it rained, at the end of Summer.

      Rain is beautiful... but sun is better! So I look forward to sunny days, strawberries cherries, baby birds and roses!

      Love to you, too, Jane, my favourite booklady!
      PS: Don't forget to try my recipe! IT IS delicious!

      ANNA
      xx

      Delete
    2. Hurray Anna, I've just managed to go back to my old-style blog! It's just so much easier and I was really pleased to find I could still use it! Jane xxx

      Delete
  16. Replies
    1. Thank you very much for visiting my blog!

      ANNA

      Delete
  17. Anna bellissima - your comments made me SMILE! I love bad influences... to some extent anyway! What color does your car have? Ferrari red? I think it would suit you... I think all Italians are fashionable and always very uptodate! We from the Alps must always learn and I always feel a bit clumsy... Anna! I LOVE Italy and I want to go back as soon as possible! I hope the next holiday comes fast! I also like fiestas in summer outside and when they take place somewhere like Tuscany at a long table - all the better! We have decided to spend one week in Tuscany with friends in the house of my Italian friend Luana (very confusing) and all we will do is cook! In the morning coffee in the bar, then going to the market and then back home and then having a glass of Prosecco and then start preparing for dinner. Sounds very promising, doesn't it? Can't wait... Meanwhile BMH&B (now definitely very confusing...) Ciao Christa

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dear Christa, yes, my car is a red Ferrari Testarossa... how did you guess? Well... actually it's silver... never mind... and... it's a Peugeot! But it's very nice and roomy and has a CD player which you can load with 5 CD at a time! I can tell you: people know when the mad Italian is driving by... I sing very loudly, in the car and I love it!

    Your holiday in Tuscany will be fantastic. Italy, North to South (especially South!) is a very beautiful place, but... I think Switzerland is a dream place! You "from the Alps" are very, very lucky people, Christa!

    I must go to bed, now... I'm very tired.

    So: BUONA NOTTE BMH&B (YES, VERY CONFUSING! YOUR FAULT!)

    ANNA
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  19. Dear Anna - what a lovely story and memory. I can just see you in your little pink and grey tartan coat with your pink leather bag. What a mischievous bit of fun you and Stella had, not totally caught out, but very nearly - at least you got some so called holy water for your dear father to make his blessing, so that you could all enjoy your mother's Ragu`di Carne, con Braciole which sounds delicious as always.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Rosemary!
    There is a photo of myself, taken outside Stella's house, as I was waiting. We all have so many memories and so many stories to tell.

    Having been born and brought up in Italy, memories are inevitably connected with food!

    This year, I brought an olive branch from Italy and, on Easter Sunday, I blessed my family, as we sat round the table, before the antipasto (we have a special one we make at Easter with sopressata, a type of sausage, boiled eggs and orange, called "il benedetto-the blessing.)Before eating il benedetto,, the family and the food have to be blessed. As my husband is not familiar with this "ritual" I did it, just with an olive branch from my native Puglia, but no Holy Water: JUST LOVE.

    CIAO!

    ANNA
    xx

    Thank you for your comment.

    ANNA

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anna ciao! You made me laugh! He is a "Leg man" why would he watch the other direction? I envy you with your car! Since last summer we do not own a car anymore. Never used it really and so we gave it up. In Italy I though one of those small cars would be nice or else a Testarossa - no question! Going on a long walk tomorrow so I better get on doing my post now! Sleep well - you are really fun! Christa PS. Got an offer today from a neighbour he bought a house in Apulia - he said that we could rent it any time we want... there are direct flights to Brindisi from Berne... temptations everywhere... Ciao BMH&B (my fault I know)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Christa,
      I am afraid we couldn't live without a car because we are lazy and also because we love our drives through the beautiful countryside, to the coast and the fantastic Norfolk Broads (canals)
      I drive in Italy, too (on the other side of the road) and have a FIAT PUNTO there, which is good for shopping and trips to beautiful places and Caffe`.

      I have flown into Brindisi loads of times, but I have to say, Bari Airport (PALESE) is really very nice and bigger than Brindisi, and... only a 10 minute drive from where my sisters live. Puglia is a very beautiful place and one day you must go there.

      I hope you are enjoying your walk. I love the Alps!

      BMG&B (can't keep up with this!)

      ANNA
      xx

      Delete
  22. Hello dear anna, but you're back at last! I was waiting for your stories, okay, hello to you soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ciao Francesca!

      Yes, I'm back, as you can see and... molto indaffarata, ma cerco di fare quello che posso. Sono una perfezionista e mi piace fare editing delle foto, che mi costa un po` di tempo. Per ogni mio post, ci vuole come minimo una mezza giornata!

      A presto... sto lentamente guardando e leggendo tutti i blogs nella mia lista!

      HAPPY WEEKEND!

      ANNA

      Delete