Directions
The dish of paccheri with biancostato alla Genovese is a sophisticated tribute to the culinary heritage of Liguria, skillfully reimagined by Chef Alberto Marcolongo, the Executive Chef of the prestigious Benoit restaurant in New York, which is part of the renowned Alain Ducasse group. This delightful recipe features a harmonious blend of carefully selected ingredients that tell a story of intense flavors and enveloping aromas. The meat is slowly cooked until tender and juicy, perfectly complementing the sweet onions that transform into a rich, creamy sauce through hours of patient cooking, enhancing every single bite of pasta. The end result is a first course that, while honoring the authenticity of the classic Genovese style, adds a touch of modern elegance and innovation.
If this recipe has piqued your interest, you should also try the Octopus Genovese, an irresistible seafood variation!
Essential Ingredients for Making Paccheri with Biancostato alla Genovese
To prepare this authentic and richly flavored dish, it is essential to use high-quality ingredients. Here’s a detailed list of what you’ll need:
– 500 g paccheri
– 1 kg biancostato (beef brisket)
– 500 g sweet onions (preferably)
– 100 g celery
– 100 g carrots
– 2 bay leaves
– Extra virgin olive oil (to taste)
– Salt and black pepper (to taste)
– White wine (to taste)
– Grated Parmigiano Reggiano DOP for garnish (to taste)
– Fresh herbs such as marjoram and parsley for decoration
Steps to Prepare Paccheri with Biancostato alla Genovese
Initial Preparation of the Meat
1. Start by salting the biancostato evenly. Sear it in a large frying pan with hot extra virgin olive oil. This step is crucial for adding flavor and color to the meat, which should take on a golden, caramelized appearance.
Cleaning and Preparing the Vegetables
2. While the meat is cooking, clean the onions, slicing them thinly, and dice the celery and carrots. These vegetables will bring freshness and complexity to the meat sauce.
Cooking Methods and Adding Vegetables
3. Once the meat has achieved the perfect golden brown, remove it from the pan and set it aside. In the same pan, add the sliced onions and let them soften for a moment, allowing their juices to meld and flavor the cooking base.
4. Next, incorporate the diced celery and carrots. Add the bay leaves, which will impart an unmistakable aroma to the sauce.
Slow Cooking Phase
5. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper. Allow everything to simmer over low heat for about ten minutes, covering with a lid for even cooking of the onions. When the vegetables have softened, return the meat to the pan and deglaze with white wine, scraping up all the cooking juices.
6. Continue cooking on very low heat for about 4-5 hours, keeping the pan covered. The meat should become tender and easily shreddable.
Final Phase: Mixing and Completing the Dish
7. When the biancostato is ready, remove it from the pan to shred it and return it to the onion sauce. Mix well to soak the meat in the rich sauce that has developed.
8. Meanwhile, boil the paccheri in abundant salted water, following the instructions on the package. Don’t forget to finely chop the fresh herbs like marjoram and parsley.
9. A couple of minutes before the pasta is done, drain the paccheri and mix them directly into the sauce, stirring gently to ensure a complete blend with the sauce.
10. For a finishing touch, add the fresh herbs and sprinkle some basil. Top off with a generous grating of Parmigiano Reggiano DOP.
Serving the Paccheri alla Genovese
11. Toss the dish gently and serve the paccheri with biancostato alla Genovese immediately, adding an extra sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired. This dish is not only an explosion of flavors but also a celebration of Ligurian culinary traditions rich in history and passion.
By focusing on fresh ingredients and traditional techniques, paccheri with biancostato alla Genovese symbolizes the art of Italian cuisine, capable of delighting any palate and creating moments of pure gastronomic joy. What are you waiting for? It’s the perfect time to impress your guests with a dish that tells stories of family, passion, and a true love for cooking.
