Beef Elegante over Rice

Beef Elegante over Rice Recipe | American Dish

Region / culture: USA | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

Beef Elegante over Rice is a classic dish that combines the rich flavors of beef with the comforting texture of rice, creating a meal that's both satisfying and sophisticated. This recipe is perfect for those looking to impress guests or simply enjoy a delicious, hearty meal at home. With its tender slices of beef, flavorful sauce, and bed of fluffy rice, Beef Elegante over Rice is a dish that promises to delight the palate.

History

The origins of Beef Elegante over Rice can be traced back to traditional European cuisine, where meat and rice dishes were often prepared for special occasions and family gatherings. Over time, the recipe has evolved, incorporating various ingredients and cooking techniques from different cultures. Today, it stands as a testament to the fusion of culinary traditions, offering a taste that is both familiar and uniquely its own.

Ingredients

8 oz (227 g) of thinly sliced beef round steak or 2 beef cubed steaks, each weighing about 4 oz (113 g)
2.5 tbsp of flour
0.5 tsp of salt
0.13 tsp of ground black pepper
1 tbsp of vegetable oil
0.25 cup of chopped onion
2 tbsp of dry red wine (optional)
0.75 cup of beef broth*
0.5 cup of fresh sliced mushrooms**
1.5 cups of hot cooked rice

How to prepare

Tenderize the steak by pounding it with a meat mallet or the edge of a saucer until it becomes thin. Cut the steak into thin strips, approximately 2 inches long.
Coat the steak with a mixture of flour, salt, and pepper.
Heat oil in an 8-inch skillet. Add the steak and brown it on all sides over high heat.
Reduce the heat and add the onion. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the wine, broth, and mushrooms. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Reduce the heat, cover the skillet, and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes or until the meat becomes tender.
Serve the dish over beds of fluffy rice.

Variations

This recipe can be easily adapted to suit different tastes and dietary requirements. For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce. To make the dish more vegetable-forward, incorporate additional vegetables such as bell peppers or peas into the sauce.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

To ensure the beef is tender and flavorful, it's important to slice it thinly and against the grain. Tenderizing the meat with a mallet or the edge of a saucer can also help to break down the fibers, making it more succulent. When browning the beef, make sure the skillet is hot enough so that the meat sears quickly, locking in its juices. Finally, simmering the beef slowly in the broth and wine allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Serving Suggestions

Beef Elegante over Rice is best served hot, directly after cooking. For an elegant presentation, spoon the beef and sauce over a bed of fluffy rice on individual plates. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a few slices of green onion for a pop of color and freshness.

Cooking Techniques

The key techniques in this recipe include tenderizing and browning the beef, as well as simmering the ingredients to create a rich, flavorful sauce. Each step is crucial for developing the dish's depth of flavor and ensuring the meat is perfectly tender.

Ingredient Substitutions

For those looking to make the dish gluten-free, almond flour or another gluten-free flour can be used in place of regular flour. The dry red wine can be substituted with beef broth or a non-alcoholic red wine vinegar for a similar depth of flavor without the alcohol.

Make Ahead Tips

Beef Elegante over Rice can be prepared in advance and reheated before serving. To ensure the best texture, store the beef and sauce separately from the rice and combine them when ready to serve. This will keep the rice from becoming too soft or mushy.

Presentation Ideas

Serve the dish in shallow bowls to showcase the sauce and make it easy to enjoy every last bite. A sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary can add a touch of elegance and a hint of fresh flavor.

Pairing Recommendations

A glass of medium-bodied red wine, such as a Merlot or a Pinot Noir, pairs beautifully with the rich flavors of the beef. For a non-alcoholic option, a sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon complements the dish without overpowering it.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, gently warm the beef and sauce in a skillet over medium heat, adding a little extra broth if necessary to keep it moist. Heat the rice separately to maintain its texture.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

A single serving of Beef Elegante over Rice contains approximately 350 calories. This makes it a moderately calorie-dense meal, suitable for those looking for a satisfying yet not overly heavy dish.

Carbohydrates

A serving of Beef Elegante over Rice contains approximately 45 grams of carbohydrates. The majority of these carbs come from the rice, making it a good source of energy. To reduce the carbohydrate content, one could substitute the rice with a lower-carb alternative such as cauliflower rice.

Fats

This dish contains about 10 grams of fat per serving, with a mix of saturated and unsaturated fats. The vegetable oil and the natural fats from the beef contribute to the total fat content. For a healthier option, one could use a leaner cut of beef or a smaller amount of oil.

Proteins

Beef Elegante over Rice is rich in proteins, offering about 25 grams per serving. The beef not only provides a high-quality source of protein but also contributes to the dish's robust flavor and satisfying texture.

Vitamins and minerals

This dish is a good source of various vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, and B vitamins, which are essential for energy metabolism and overall health. The mushrooms and onions also add a modest amount of vitamins C and K, as well as dietary fiber.

Alergens

Common allergens in this recipe include wheat (from the flour) and potentially gluten. Those with sensitivities or allergies to these ingredients can substitute the flour with a gluten-free alternative and ensure the beef broth is gluten-free.

Summary

Overall, Beef Elegante over Rice offers a balanced meal with a good mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, along with essential vitamins and minerals. It's a hearty dish that can be adjusted to meet various dietary needs and preferences.

Summary

Beef Elegante over Rice is a timeless dish that combines tender beef, flavorful sauce, and fluffy rice into a meal that's both comforting and elegant. With its rich history and versatile recipe, it's a perfect choice for any occasion, from a casual family dinner to a special celebration. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or make it your own with variations and substitutions, Beef Elegante over Rice is sure to be a hit.

How did I get this recipe?

I can still recall the sense of amazement I felt when I first saw this recipe for Beef Elegante over Rice. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl living in a small village in Italy. My grandmother, Nonna Maria, was known throughout the town for her culinary skills and she had a vast collection of recipes that she had acquired from various places and people over the years.

On a warm summer day, Nonna Maria invited me into her cozy kitchen to teach me how to make Beef Elegante over Rice. She had a twinkle in her eye as she handed me a worn and tattered piece of paper with the recipe written in her elegant handwriting. "This is a special recipe that has been passed down through generations in our family," she explained. "It's a dish fit for royalty, hence the name Elegante."

I eagerly read through the recipe, taking in the rich flavors and exotic ingredients that I had never seen before. Nonna Maria guided me through each step, showing me how to marinate the beef in a blend of herbs and spices, how to sauté the onions and garlic until they were golden brown, and how to simmer the meat in a savory broth until it was tender and juicy.

As the aromas of the dish filled the kitchen, Nonna Maria shared the story of how she had learned to make Beef Elegante over Rice. She told me that many years ago, when she was just a young bride, she had traveled to Paris with my grandfather for their honeymoon. It was there that she had first tasted this delectable dish at a fancy restaurant in the heart of the city.

Nonna Maria was so captivated by the flavors and textures of the dish that she begged the chef to teach her how to make it. And to her surprise, he had agreed. For the next few days, she had shadowed him in the kitchen, taking notes and absorbing every detail of the recipe until she had mastered it herself.

With each bite of the Beef Elegante over Rice, I could taste the love and dedication that Nonna Maria had poured into learning this recipe. The tender beef melted in my mouth, the savory broth warmed my soul, and the fluffy rice soaked up all the flavorful juices. It was a taste sensation unlike anything I had ever experienced before.

As I sat at the table, savoring every bite, Nonna Maria smiled at me with pride. "You have learned well, my dear," she said. "One day, you will pass this recipe down to your own grandchildren, just as I have done with you."

And so, as the years passed, I continued to make Beef Elegante over Rice for my own family, sharing the story of how Nonna Maria had learned to make it in Paris all those years ago. Each time I cooked the dish, I felt a connection to my grandmother and to the generations of women who had come before me, all bound together by this simple yet elegant recipe.

And as I watched my own grandchildren savoring the flavors of Beef Elegante over Rice, I knew that the tradition would live on, just as Nonna Maria had intended. The recipe may have come from a faraway place and time, but its legacy would endure for generations to come, a testament to the power of food and family to bring us together in love and joy.