BRACIOLE NEAPOLITAN-STYLE recipe & history - all you need to know! (2024)

Jump to Recipe

Braciole recipe Neapolitan-style is a dish that ran the history of the Southern-Italian cuisine! The ingredients of this delicious rolled meat come from the Ancient Greece, via the discovering of America and the French domination of the territory around Naples. The meat is filled with cured prosciutto, raisins, pine nuts, and cheese, then seared and slow cooked in a tasty tomatoes sauce. To complete the recipe as the tradition requires, toss the pasta with the sauce and serve it as first course. The meat will be a fantastic second course, a complete meal to depict an authentic feast Italian-style!

BRACIOLE NEAPOLITAN-STYLE recipe & history - all you need to know! (2)

If you like this recipe, please click here, leave a comment and vote 5 stars!
This simple actionhelp the growth of this blog and make me very happy🙂

  • 8 slices top round meat extra thin cut (Milanesa)
  • 8 slices Italian Prosciutto
  • 2 Lb (900 g) tomato puree
  • 2 tbsp double concentrated tomato paste
  • 6 tbsp pine nuts
  • 6 tbsp raisins
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp lard (manteca)
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 1 (300 g) red onion
  • 1 bunch fresh parsley
  • 4 leaves fresh basil
  • 8 tbsp Italian Provolone, grated (alternatively, Pecorino or Cacio Cavallo)
  • 1 glass (250 ml) red wine
  • 1 tbsp black pepper
  • to taste table salt (optional)

FOR THE PASTA

  • 24 oz (680 g)short pasta (best if Rigatoni or Tortiglioni)
  • Braciole sauce
  • 8 tbsp Italian Provolone, grated (alternatively, Pecorino or Cacio Cavallo)
  • 4.5 tbsp rock salt every 5 qt of water

WHAT BRACIOLE MEANS INTO THE ITALIAN CUISINE

The term braciola(braciole in the plural) indicates different cuts of meats, depending on the regions of Italy.

Into the Northern Italian cuisine, Braciole means pork or veal chops, commonly grilled or seared. In Southern Italy instead, braciole have the same meaning of the International term: thin rolled steaks and filled with herbs and cheese.

VISIT MY NEW YOUTUBE CHANNEL!

My new youtube channel is finally online: take a look to my video recipes clicking here and give me your opinion, thanks!

BRACIOLE NEAPOLITAN-STYLE recipe & history - all you need to know! (3)

PORK, VEAL OR BEEF BRACIOLE?

Regarding Northen-Italian style braciole, they are made exclusively from pork or veal.

Into the Southern-Italian cuisine, the most traditional braciole recipes are from Sicily, Calabria, and Naples. Southern-Italian braciole are frequently stewed into tomato sauce, or grilled, or pan seared.

The most common Southern braciole steak cuts are pork shoulder and Beef top round.

BRACIOLE NEAPOLITAN-STYLE recipe & history - all you need to know! (4)

BRACIOLE NEAPOLITAN-STYLE HISTORY

The ingredients of slow cooked braciole are influenced by several invasions and settlements of the Neapolitan territory.

The use of raising comes from the Greco-Roman tradition; it is the most ancient, sweet and sour flavor into this recipe, along with pine nuts.

Angevin domination started from XIII Century, brings a significant French influence into the Neapolitan cuisine; particularly, the slow-cooking meats and ragouts.

Starting from XVI Century Tomatoes, coming from the new American continent, enter forcefully into Southern-Italian tradition, and pair perfectly with Mediterranean flavors.

The term braciole and braciolette (little braciole in Italian) appear for the first time in 1837, in the cookbook “Cucina Teorico-Pratica” By Ippolito Cavalcanti Duke of Buonvicino.

The modern version of the Neapolitan braciole recipe is published by Jean Carola Francesconi in 1965. This recipe upholds the tradition and adds a fragrant slice of Italian Prosciutto into the filling.

BRACIOLE NEAPOLITAN-STYLE recipe & history - all you need to know! (5)

ONE RECIPE TWO COURSES

Like many Southern-Italian recipes, Neapolitan braciole are served as second course. With the tomato sauce is traditional to toss pasta, particularly short pasta like Rigatoni or Tortiglioni, and served as first course.

This tradition comes from the workers of the nobles kitchens, which use to save a little quantity of sauce to eat after serving the meat.

BRACIOLE NEAPOLITAN-STYLE recipe & history - all you need to know! (6)

NEAPOLITAN BRACIOLE RECIPE

First of all, choose the right cut of beef; best if top round extra thin cut Milanesa-style.

Soak 3 tbsp of raisins in room temperature water about 30 minutes until re-hydrated. Waiting for the raisins, pour a splash of olive oil into a pan and sauté 3 tbsp of pine nuts until lightly golden brown.

Finally, grate the cheese, and mince the fresh parsley finely along with garlic.

BRACIOLE NEAPOLITAN-STYLE recipe & history - all you need to know! (7)

HOW TO MAKE BRACIOLE

Tenderize the meat beating each steak lightly with the flat side of a tenderizer. It’s critical do not rip the meat.

After that, lay out a slice of Prosciutto over each braciole steak, and spread on the grated cheese, minced garlic and parsley, raisins, and sauteed pine nuts.

Eventually, bend the longer sides of the steaks and roll the shorter side of the meat, tying each braciola with kitchen strings.

BRACIOLE NEAPOLITAN-STYLE recipe & history - all you need to know! (8)

HOW TO COOK BRACIOLE

Pour the lard into an enamel dutch oven or thick-bottomed heavy pot, and melt over medium heat.

Now sear the rolled meat a few pieces at a time just a couple of minutes, until golden brown. This step is critical and can be difficult the first times because the meat tends to stick; if it happens, baste with a few tbsp of wine.

When all the meat rolls are seared, place in a bowl covered, and sauté finely sliced onion into the lard and meat’ juices until soft and translucent.

BRACIOLE NEAPOLITAN-STYLE recipe & history - all you need to know! (9)

SLOW-COOKED BRACIOLE

Once the onion is ready, add the beef roulades, raise the flame and baste with 1 glass of red wine.

Cook and stir a few minutes over high heat, then add the tomato paste. Cook a couple of minutes more, then add the tomato puree and stir fry a few minutes.

After that, low the flame and cook the meat 1 hour and 30 minutes. The meat must cook very gently, bubbling slowly.

BRACIOLE NEAPOLITAN-STYLE recipe & history - all you need to know! (10)

TOMATO SAUCE

After 90 minutes, raise the meat and place into a bowl, covered. Cook the sauce until extremely thick, about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, sauté 3 tbsp of pine nuts and soak 3 tbsp of raisins. After two hours, add the rolled meat, and pine nuts, and raisins, and cook 20 mins more, very slowly.

Serve the Neapolitan braciole over a few tbsp of sauce, and save the remainder sauce to toss the pasta.

Did you like this recipe? please click here, leave a comment and vote 5 stars!
This simple actionhelp the growth of this blog and make me very happy🙂

BRACIOLE NEAPOLITAN-STYLE recipe & history - all you need to know! (11)

RECIPE - PRINTABLE VERSION

Yield: 8

BRACIOLE NEAPOLITAN-STYLE recipe & history - all you need to know!

BRACIOLE NEAPOLITAN-STYLE recipe & history - all you need to know! (12)

Braciole recipe Neapolitan-style is a dish that ran the history of the Southern-Italian cuisine! The ingredients of this delicious rolled meat come from the Ancient Greece, via the discovering of America and the French domination of the territory around Naples. The meat is filled with cured prosciutto, raisins, pine nuts, and cheese, then seared and slow cooked in a tasty tomatoes sauce. To complete the recipe as the tradition requires, toss the pasta with the sauce and serve it as first course. The meat will be a fantastic second course, a complete meal to depict an authentic feast Italian-style!

Prep Time30 minutes

Cook Time4 hours

Total Time4 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 slices top round meat extra thin cut (Milanesa)
  • 8 slices Italian Prosciutto
  • 2 Lb tomato puree (900 g)
  • 2 tbsp double concentrated tomato paste
  • 6 tbsp pine nuts
  • 6 tbsp raisins
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp lard (manteca)
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 1 red onion (300 g)
  • 1 bunch fresh parsley
  • 4 leaves fresh basil
  • 8 tbsp Italian Provolone, grated (alternatively, Pecorino or Cacio Cavallo)
  • 1 glass red wine (250 ml)
  • 1 tbsp black pepper
  • to taste table salt (optional)
  • FOR THE PASTA
  • 24 oz short pasta (best if Rigatoni or Tortiglioni) (680 g)
  • Braciole sauce
  • 8 tbsp Italian Provolone, grated (alternatively, Pecorino or Cacio Cavallo)
  • 4.5 tbsp rock salt every 5 qt of water

Instructions

VISIT MY NEW YOUTUBE CHANNEL!

My new youtube channel is finally online: take a look to my video recipes clicking here and give me your opinion, thanks!

NEAPOLITAN BRACIOLE RECIPE

  1. First of all, choose the right cut of beef; best if top round extra thin cut Milanesa-style.
  2. Soak 3 tbsp of raisins in room temperature water about 30 minutes until re-hydrated. Waiting for the raisins, pour a splash of olive oil into a pan and sauté 3 tbsp of pine nuts until lightly golden brown.
  3. Finally, grate the cheese, and mince the fresh parsley finely along with garlic.

HOW TO MAKE BRACIOLE

  1. Tenderize the meat beating each steak lightly with the flat side of a tenderizer. It’s critical do not rip the meat.
  2. After that, lay out a slice of Prosciutto over each braciole steak, and spread on minced garlic and parsley, raisins, and sauteed pine nuts.
  3. Eventually, bend the longer sides of the steaks and roll the shorter side of the meat, tying each braciola with kitchen strings.

HOW TO COOK BRACIOLE

  1. Pour the lard into an enamel dutch oven or thick-bottomed heavy pot, and melt over medium heat.
  2. Now sear the rolled meat a few pieces at a time just a couple of minutes, until golden brown. This step is critical and can be difficult the first times because the meat tends to stick; if it happens, baste with a few tbsp of wine.
  3. When all the meat rolls are seared, place in a bowl covered, and sauté finely sliced onion into the lard and meat’ juices until soft and translucent.

SLOW-COOKED BRACIOLE

  1. Once the onion is ready, add the beef roulades, raise the flame and baste with 1 glass of red wine.
  2. Cook and stir a few minutes over high heat, then add the tomato paste. Cook a couple of minutes more, then add the tomato puree and stir fry a few minutes.
  3. After that, low the flame and cook the meat 1 hour and 30 minutes. The meat must cook very gently, bubbling slowly.

TOMATO SAUCE

  1. After 90 minutes, raise the meat and place into a bowl, covered.
  2. Cook the sauce until extremely thick, about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  3. Meanwhile, sauté 3 tbsp of pine nuts and soak 3 tbsp of raisins. After two hours, add the rolled meat, and pine nuts, and raisins, and cook 20 mins more, very slowly.
  4. Serve the Neapolitan braciole over a few tbsp of sauce, and save the remainder sauce to toss the pasta.

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

1

Amount Per ServingCalories 725Total Fat 32gSaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 18gCholesterol 131mgCarbohydrates 55gFiber 6gSugar 13gProtein 54g

The writers and publishers of this blog are not nutritionists or registered dietitians.All information presented and written within our blog are intended for informational purposes only. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators.You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional.The writers and publishers of this blog are not responsible for adverse reactions, effects, or consequences resulting from the use of any recipes or suggestions herein or hereafter.Under no circ*mstances will this blog or its owners be responsible for any loss or damage resulting from your reliance on nutritional information given by this site. By using this blog and its content, you agree to these terms.

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS

SLOW COOKED EYE OF ROUND STEAKS with pizzaiola sauce

BRACIOLE NEAPOLITAN-STYLE recipe & history - all you need to know! (13)

BRACIOLE NEAPOLITAN-STYLE recipe & history - all you need to know! (14)

BRACIOLE NEAPOLITAN-STYLE recipe & history - all you need to know! (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of beef braciole? ›

The rolled, stuffed beef preparation we typically associate with Braciole in America is more commonly known as "involtini" in Italy. Italian immigrants brought the concept of Braciole with them when they journeyed to America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

What does braciole mean in Italian? ›

Braciole is an Italian-style roulade, a rolled and stuffed meat. It is also called involtini, or bruciuluni in Sicilian. The etymology of the word translates to slice of meat rolled over coals. The meat — typically beef, veal, or pork — is pounded thin and stuffed with prosciutto, breadcrumbs, cheese, and herbs.

What cut of meat is best for braciole? ›

It's a truly comforting meal worthy of a Sunday supper. One of the biggest divides in the Italian-American braciole world centers around which cut of beef to use. The two main camps are those that favor flank steak and those that prefer top round.

Why is my braciole tough? ›

Further, if you haven't pounded the meat thin enough, it can still be tough after cooking, so make sure to pound it to an even, thin slice. Lastly, the cooking time matters, as if you cook it too short it can be tough, so make sure to cook it slow and prolonged to get a more tender result.

Why is it called Braciole? ›

Braciole (Brah-J “yoh- lah) in Italian, literally means slice of meat roasted over coals, from brace live coals. The Neapolitan-style Braciole recipe is a dish that ran the history of Southern-Italian cuisine!

Where is Braciole from in Italy? ›

What is the national dish of Italy? ›

Answer and Explanation: The national food of Italy is a pasta dish that is called Ragu alla Bolognese, which is a Bolognese sauce of meat and tomatoes with tagliatelle pasta. The dish is also sometimes just called Bolognese, because the sauce has become so popular that it is often identified as the meal itself.

What is the difference between spiedini and Braciole? ›

I learned that the difference is Braciole is cooked in a red sauce, while the Spiedini is not. While both are equally delicious, I am so glad I decided to make a Braciole because it was AMAZING 😋 and I will definitely be adding this recipe to my repertoire.

What is the number one meat in Italy? ›

While pork is certainly the most popular meat, salamis are also made with other meats, such as beef, wild boar, goose and turkey. There are many, many different salamis made in Italy — mortadella, coppa and soppressata are just a few.

What are 4 meats eaten in Italy? ›

Both forms of dried cured meats appear in many different sizes, textures, and shapes. They are eaten in a variety of ways: paired with bread, used in cooking, eaten raw. The most famous of the Italian cured meats are Prosciutto di Parma, Prosciutto Toscano, Mortadella, Pancetta, and Soppressata to name a few.

What is the most famous meat in Italy? ›

Pancetta: One of the most traditional Italian Meats, this salted, spiced and dry-cured pork belly is served thinly sliced or diced for recipes. An excellent substitute for bacon, Pancetta is perhaps best known for as a key ingredient in Pasta Carbonara.

What is the hardest Italian food to make? ›

Pasta alla carbonara! If the mixture of egg yolk and grated cheese is to thick it will be difficult to coat the pasta evenly, if it's too thin one risks cooking the eggs to a mess of scramble eggs and cheese. If the guanciale is cooked for too long it will be too crispy or even hard as bullets.

What wine goes with beef braciole? ›

Wine Pairing for Braciole

The beef and the sauce are robust enough you can go for a hearty red. Chianti, Brunello, Rosso di Montalcino or any Sangiovese, Primitivo or Negroamaro. Cabernet Sauvignon or even a Bordeaux blend would work here as well.

What is the origin of the Chaliapin steak? ›

In 1932, Chaliapin published a memoir, Man and Mask: Forty Years in the Life of a Singer. While touring Japan in 1936 he was suffering from a toothache, and a hotel chef devised a way to cook a steak to be extra tender for him. This dish is known in Japan as a Chaliapin steak to this day.

Who made the first Italian beef? ›

The recipe was popularized by Pasquale Scala, and a group of his associates who started small beef stands in Chicago and used similar recipes, perfecting Chicago's original Italian beef sandwich. Al Ferreri and his sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Chris (Baba) Pacelli, founded Al's Beef in 1938, and Mr.

Who made the original Italian beef? ›

Albert Ferreri

The guy that made the idea into a reality. In 1938, Al Ferreri and his sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Chris Pacelli, Sr. opened up a little family beef stand located in the Little Italy neighborhood on Harrison and Lafflin Streets.

Where is the birthplace of Italian beef? ›

The Italian beef sandwich is one of the top foods Chicago is known for and is beloved throughout the city and surrounding suburbs alike. The origins of the Italian beef sandwich date back to early 1900s Chicago and its legendary combination of roast beef and spices have been tempting palates ever since.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lidia Grady

Last Updated:

Views: 6686

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lidia Grady

Birthday: 1992-01-22

Address: Suite 493 356 Dale Fall, New Wanda, RI 52485

Phone: +29914464387516

Job: Customer Engineer

Hobby: Cryptography, Writing, Dowsing, Stand-up comedy, Calligraphy, Web surfing, Ghost hunting

Introduction: My name is Lidia Grady, I am a thankful, fine, glamorous, lucky, lively, pleasant, shiny person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.