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–+ servings

Braised beef cheeks in red wine sauce with polenta

Tender beef cheeks braised for hours in a strong red wine sauce, served with creamy polenta. A hearty, aromatic dish that harmonizes perfectly with a Primitivo.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Course Main course, Stew
Cuisine Italian, Rustic
Servings 2 People
Calories 780 kcal

Cooking utensils

  • 1 Casserole or cast iron roasting pan
  • 1 Pan for the polenta
  • 1 Cutting board & knife
  • 1 Cooking spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Beef cheeks approx. 400-500 g in total
  • 500 ml strong red wine z. e.g. Primitivo or Barolo
  • 200 ml Beef stock
  • 1 Carrot diced
  • 1 Celery stalk diced
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 Garlic cloves chopped
  • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tsp flour to thicken the sauce, optional
  • 1 sprig of rosemary
  • 1 Bay leaf
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • Salt & pepper to taste

For the polenta:

  • 100 g Polenta fine or coarse, depending on preference
  • 400 ml Water or milk
  • 30 g Parmesan cheese Freshly grated
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Preparation
 

Prepare & fry the beef cheeks:

  • Season the beef cheeks with salt and pepper.
  • Heat the olive oil in a casserole, fry the cheeks well on all sides, then remove.

Prepare the sauce & braise:

  • Sauté the onion, carrot, celery and garlic in the same pan.
  • Stir in the tomato purée and fry briefly.
  • Deglaze with red wine and reduce briefly.
  • Add the beef stock, rosemary and bay leaf.
  • Return the beef cheeks to the pan and leave to braise at 160 °C (top/bottom heat) for approx. 3 hours.

Prepare the polenta:

  • Heat the water or milk in a saucepan.
  • Stir in the polenta and simmer for approx. 10 minutes while stirring.
  • Stir in the butter and parmesan, season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve:

  • Remove the beef cheeks from the sauce, thicken the sauce with flour if necessary.
  • Plate up the polenta and arrange the beef cheeks on top.
  • Pour over a little sauce and garnish with fresh rosemary.

Recommended side dishes

  • Toasted ciabatta or focaccia
  • Braised mushrooms with garlic
  • Fresh rocket salad with balsamic vinegar

Nutritional values per portion

Calories: 780kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 50gFat: 35g
Keyword Braised beef cheek, Braised dish with wine, Braised meat, Polenta, Primitivo, Red wine sauce, Wine & Food Pairing
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