Peposo is a dish that hails from Impruneta, a town in Florence known for its terracotta. In fact, this hearty main dish was originally made by terracotta craftsmen, who cooked this stew it in a corner of their working kilns.
Go low and slow with this recipe… pop it on in the morning, go out for the day and return home to this splendid dish. The house will smell divine and all you need is red wine and some bread and you’re set.
Ingredients
Method
Why Slow Cook?
Slow-cooked beef dishes celebrate patience and the transformation of humble ingredients into something incredibly flavourful and tender. The magic of slow-cooking lies in its ability to break down tougher cuts of meat, allowing them to infuse with your other ingredients and become ‘melt-in-your-mouth tender’ over time. Whether braised, stewed, or roasted, slow-cooked beef is a comforting and satisfying dish that stands as a culinary tradition across many cultures.
Keep It Juicy
A key benefit of slow cooking is its ability to lock in moisture, ensuring that the beef remains juicy throughout the long cooking process. As the meat simmers or roasts, the heat is evenly distributed, allowing every bite to be packed with richness. This method is ideal for hearty dishes such as beef stews, pot roasts, or even beef brisket. There are variations of peposo that include tomatoes or tomato paste, which add a slight sweetness and acidity to balance the boldness. However, purists prefer the simpler version that relies solely on the natural flavours of beef, wine, and pepper.
Worth the Wait
Another benefit to slow-cooked beef is the use of cuts that are rich in connective tissue, such as shank, which is used in this recipe, but also beef chuck and brisket. These cuts are not typically suited to quick cooking methods, but when given time, the collagen within the meat breaks down into gelatin, giving the beef a silky texture and complexity. The process allows for the infusion of any aromatics like garlic, onions, herbs, and spices, which mingle with the natural juices of the meat to create rich, flavourful sauces.
Comfort Food
Slow-cooked meals are often associated with comfort food because of their warming, hearty nature. It’s the kind of cooking that invites gathering, whether it’s a family dinner or a festive meal, evoking a sense of tradition and home. Although the cooking time may be long, which might require some planning, the simplicity of preparing the dish makes the overall result second to none. If your situation allows, you could get this going in the morning before work and return home to a delicious meal that only requires some simple sides. It’s also a great choice for a large dinner with multiple dishes – as you can get the peposo going and while it’s cooking, you can focus on preparing all the other things!
