Vitello Pizzaiola Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S STEAK PIZZAIOLA

Steps:

• Season steak medallions with salt and black pepper on both sides.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add steaks and cook until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Reserve oil in skillet.
• Place mushrooms and butter into the skillet and season with salt; cook and stir until mushrooms are softened and beginning to brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; add peppers and cook and stir until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Pour in wine and sprinkle in dried oregano. Increase heat to medium-high and cook until the wine is nearly evaporated, about 3 minutes.
• Stir tomato concasse into the mushroom mixture and simmer until tomato is softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add fresh oregano, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper flakes; stir to combine. Adjust salt and black pepper to taste.
• Place steaks back into the skillet with the mushroom mixture and cook until warmed through and cooked to desired doneness, 4 to 10 minutes.

STEAK PIZZAIOLA

Steps:

• Sprinkle the steak all over with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak and sear until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Add the garlic to the skillet. Once it sizzles, add the onion and bell peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until they soften slightly, about 4 minutes. Add the pepperoncini, tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes and 3/4 cup water and stir to combine. Bring to a rapid simmer, then nestle the steak in the sauce and simmer, turning once, until medium rare, about 7 minutes.
• Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let rest about 5 minutes. Continue simmering the sauce until thickened, about 3 more minutes. Thinly slice the steak against the grain and divide among plates. Top with the sauce and parsley. Serve with focaccia.

TOCCHETTI DI MAIALE ALLA PIZZAIOLA

Steps:

• Cut the pork loin into 1/2-inch-thick slices (creating the scaloppini). Then pound it lightly. Lightly flour the pork scaloppini.
• Heat the oil in a saute pan on medium-high heat. Add pork scaloppini and saute until golden on both sides. Remove from pan. Add garlic to the pan and saute until golden. Add the tomato puree and salt and saute for 5 to 7 minutes. Add the pork to the tomato puree. Add the oregano. (Note: If the sauce is getting dry, add a teaspoon of hot water). Finish with butter and serve.

STEAK PIZZAIOLA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Place the rolls cut-side up on a baking sheet, brush with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and bake until lightly toasted, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Season the steaks all over with salt and pepper.
• Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet and cook the steaks until they reach the desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium rare. Remove to a cutting board to rest.
• Meanwhile, add the roasted peppers, garlic, onions and pepper flakes to the skillet. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until the onions have started to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for 30 seconds. Add the wine, stirring and scraping the bottom to deglaze, another 30 seconds. Add the stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, pepperoncini and oregano. Bring to simmer and cook for a couple minutes to allow the flavors to come together. Remove from the heat and taste, adjusting the seasonings if needed.
• Slice the steak and shingle over the top of the skillet. Sprinkle over the parsley and Parmesan cheese. Serve with the toasted ciabatta rolls.

PORK CHOPS PIZZAIOLA

Steps:

• Cook the sausages: Heat a large cast-iron or stainless steel skillet over high heat. When the skillet is hot, use a pair of metal tongs to arrange the sausages in a single layer. (There is no need for oil as the sausages will soon start to render their grease.) Turn the heat to medium and brown the sausages on all sides, taking care that they are cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes total. Remove the sausages to a medium bowl. Pour off the grease and add the wine, simmering over medium heat to reduce to about 1/4 cup liquid, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the reduced wine over the sausages and wipe the skillet clean.
• Cook the pork chops: Add the canola oil to the same skillet. Sprinkle the pork chops on all sides with salt. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, add the pork chops in a single layer and brown on all sides over medium heat, 5 to 8 minutes total. Remove the pork chops to the bowl with the sausages. Leave the grease in the skillet.
• Make the sauce: Stir the onions and garlic into the same skillet and cook over medium-low heat until translucent, 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with salt. Stir in the canned and cherry tomatoes with 1/2 cup water and simmer gently until the sauce is somewhat thick and tasty, 20 to 25 minutes. Stir the sausages and pork (and any meat juices) back into the sauce and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat, then stir in the cheese, red wine vinegar and basil leaves. Taste for seasoning.
• Cook the pasta: Bring 6 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add a generous handful of salt and bring the water back to a boil. Taste the water. It should be salty like seawater. Add the pasta and stir with a large slotted spoon to ensure the pasta does not stick as it cooks. Cook until still quite firm, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.
• Finish the dish: Spoon the meat over the pasta in individual bowls or serve in a large bowl, family style. You can also just leave the pot of meat and sauce and the pasta separate and let people serve themselves.

SIRLOIN STEAKS WITH PIZZAIOLA SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a heavy-based frying pan over a high heat, then add the olive oil and garlic. Season the meat; then, two at a time, quickly brown the steaks on both sides.
• Put all 4 steaks in the pan, add the tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, then turn down the heat. Sprinkle the oregano over the meat and tomatoes, partially cover the pan, then simmer gently for 10 mins.
• Lift the tender pieces of meat from the pan, cover with foil, then set aside. Increase the heat, then simmer the tomato sauce for about 10 mins, until it has reduced by half. Spoon the sauce over the steak and serve with new potatoes and a handful of rocket.

STEAK WITH PIZZAIOLA SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the sauce. If using fresh tomatoes, roughly chop them. Place in a pan with the garlic, oil, oregano or marjoram and season to taste. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 mins, stirring once or twice. Take off the heat, stir in the basil, then set aside.
• When ready to serve, heat a heavy-based frying pan until you can feel a strong heat rising. Smear the oil on both sides of the steak and season each side. Slap the steak into the centre of the pan and adjust the heat to medium-high. Cook for 6 mins, turning halfway through - this is for medium rare. For a medium steak, allow 7-8 mins in total, allow 8-10 mins for well done.
• Remove from the pan to a warm platter and leave to stand for 5 mins. Cut in two and serve drizzled with any juices and topped with the sauce.

VITELLO PIZZAIOLA

Steps:

• Heat 1 tb oil in saucepan over medium heat and add onion and cook for 2-3 mins or until it begins to soften.
• Add 1/4 cup of the basil leaves and the tomatoes and cook, stirring often for 5-6 mins or until heated through.
• Add the garlic and cook for 4-6 mins or until sauce thickens.
• Season both sides of the veal with salt and pepper then lightly coat in flour, shaking off excess.
• Heat remaining oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat and cook in batches for 3-4 minutes each side (depending on thickeness - I cooked for 1/2 that time) until cooked to your liking.
• Transfer to plates, top with cheese, tomato sauce and remaining basil.