pot roast terceira island-style (alcatra)
Terceira, the one Azorean island linked directly to the United States by air, lies just four hours (and about a hundred years) east of Boston. This pot roast, for example, might be made with beef. Then again, it might be made with mutton or lamb or even pork. It's name -- alcatra -- comes from alcatre, the Portuguese word for rump, the preferred cut of meat to pot-roast. From The Food of Portugal by Jean Anderson.
prep time
15 Min
cook time
2 Hr 30 Min
method
Bake
yield
8 serving(s)
Ingredients
- 1/4 pound lean slab bacon, cut into small dice
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 4 pounds boned and rolled beef rump roast, or leg of mutton, or fresh ham
- 2 large yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced
- 3 large garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- 2 large bay leaves, do not crumble
- 12 - peppercorns
- 3 - whole cloves
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups dry white wine
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
How To Make pot roast terceira island-style (alcatra)
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Step 1Preheat the oven to hot (400F). Saute the bacon in the vegetable oil in a large heavy kettle over moderately low heat 5 to 6 minutes until all drippings cook out and only crisp brown bits remain; lift to paper toweling to drain with a slotted spoon. In the drippings, brown the beef well on all sides over moderately high heat. Lift the beef from the kettle for the time being. Dump the onions, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and cloves into the kettle and saute, stirring often over moderate heat, 8 to 10 minutes until touched with brown.
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Step 2Blend in the tomato paste, turn the heat down low, cover, and steam 20 minutes. Scoop half the tomato mixture into a small heat-proof bowl, return the beef and bacon to the kettle, then spoon the tomato mixture on top. Add the wine and salt and bring to a simmer.
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Step 3Cover and bake 2 hours; uncover, and turn the beef over in the kettle liquid. Lower the oven temperature to moderately slow (325F), and bake uncovered about 1 hour longer or until tender and browned on top. Note: If at any point the kettle should threaten to boil dry, add a little water or additional dry white wine.
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Step 4Slice the meat thin and serve with boiled or roasted potatoes and a green vegetable, As for wine, the islanders would drink a rough tinto (red wine), so any substantial table red would be appropriate, particularly Portuguese Dao Grao Vasco or Colares.
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